Workers Storm City Hall Over Budget

The full Board hearing was scheduled for that afternoon, and both sides had strong turnout. The firefighters and their families were in full force, while SEIU had gathered a diverse coalition including representatives from such groups as the Tenderloin Outpatient Clinic, Central City SRO Collaborative, the Chinatown Community Development Center and others. Each side made emotionally charged pleas for their positions, with firefighters’ children holding signs that read “Save My Dad’s Job,” and the SEIU coalition sporting stickers that read “Share the Burden!! Share the Cuts!!” The tension reached fever pitch two hours later in the City Hall rotunda, as the Supervisors started their meeting. Firefighters shouted to be let into the Board chambers (although Fire Code regulations prevent overcrowding), while the SEIU coalition had already filled up the room.

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