The city unions’ call for a three-day strike beginning Aug. 15 had been put on hold for 24 hours Monday, giving the council a chance to approve the deal.
The unions are seeking a 7% pay increase, and complain that many city departments are understaffed. The city in June said its final pay offer was 5% the first year of the contract, 4% the second, and 3% the third.
Mayor Matt Mahan said millions in COVID funds also have been used to feed unhoused residents and provide services for vulnerable families. Bay Area activists urged remaining funds should be targeted to help Black and brown families who suffered most from the pandemic.
The city this week announced with enthusiasm tentative agreements with three bargaining units, but the unions representing police dispatchers, building inspectors and park rangers account for a little more than just 7% of the contracts that end June 30.
The latest Point-in-Time census showed slight decreases in the number of unhoused individuals counted across Santa Clara County and in the City of San José.
One day after the police union announced it would hire an independent investigator, San Jose Police Chief Anthony Mata said on Twitter there would be no internal departmental investigation of possible police officer involvement in illegal activities at the 1,100-member union.
Joanne Segovia is accused of buying and distributing opioids for eight years, running some transactions from her San Jose Police Officers’ Association office.