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Indybay Feature

Santa Cruz City Workers Rally, March, Arrests

by Skidmark Bob
Rally, March and Arrests for Santa Cruz City Workers.
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After seven years of stagnant wages, city workers who have been economically shut out approx 200-300 city workers and supporters gathered at town clock rallied and marched from Town Clock to City Hall to hand-deliver a letter from the community to the City Council—demanding a response to the need for a living wage, affordable housing and community investment for all. People spoke to council and six or seven were arrested refusing to leave chambers when cleared by police.

With signs that Santa Cruz has recovered from the recession, such as a balanced city budget and bonuses paid to its city leaders, city workers remain behind.

The city pays an average of only $34,000 per year—about half of the median income for Santa Cruz County—to its workers such as landscapers, sanitation drivers, administrative personnel, library workers and parking attendants.
§Town Clock High View
by Skidmark Bob
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§Post Office Corner
by Skidmark Bob
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by Skidmark Bob
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§March down Pacific
by Skidmark Bob
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by Skidmark Bob
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§At city hall
by Skidmark Bob
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§Civic Corner
by Skidmark Bob
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by Skidmark Bob
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§Teamsters Support
by Skidmark Bob
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by Skidmark Bob
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§Outside Chambers
by Skidmark Bob
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§Inside Chambers
by Skidmark Bob
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§Cops clear chambers
by Skidmark Bob
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§Arrests Made
by Skidmark Bob
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by Skidmark Bob
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by Skidmark Bob
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§We'll Be Back
by Skidmark Bob
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§Worker Demands
by via SEIU 521
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City of Santa Cruz workers are fighting for:

Affordable Housing in Santa Cruz FOR ALL
Like you, City of Santa Cruz employees struggle to afford to live in the city. In fact, 46% of city workers are unable to live within city limits due to high housing costs and wage cuts workers have agreed to since 2009 to deal with the recession. Stand with us to change that!

A Real Living Wage in Santa Cruz FOR ALL
From 2012 to 2013, city executives received over $500,000 in extra compensation in addition to base salaries in the six-figures. During this same period, frontline workers saw wage cuts and staff reduction in public service areas such as Public Works and Parks. We stand with the 99% against gross income inequality. Stand with us to change that!

Pay Equity in Santa Cruz FOR ALL
In Santa Cruz 35% of our female workers, on average, make $1.29 less than their male co-workers. City workers, when compared to neighboring cities and counties, are not compensated for their experience and skillset. Stand with us to change that!

Transparency in Government FOR ALL
City Council meetings occur in the middle of the day. Working families cannot take time off to participate in local governance impacting their lives. City Council members reject our proposal to schedule evening meetings. Stand with us to change that!

Secure Retirement in Santa Cruz FOR ALL
Unlike other workers, City workers are not eligible for Social Security. Instead, they pay into their pension plans with hopes it will be enough to age with dignity after retirement. But most City workers will retire with a fixed income of approx. $1800 per month because the City won't contribute its fair share to make sure its workers retire with security. Stand with us to change that!
Add Your Comments
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These comments are submitted anonymously by website visitors.
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AUTHOR
DATE
via Micah
Mon, Jun 8, 2015 10:23AM
G
Mon, Jun 1, 2015 9:32AM
Razer Ray
Mon, Jun 1, 2015 8:02AM
Slow Change
Sat, May 30, 2015 10:07PM
Slow Change
Sat, May 30, 2015 10:03PM
Robert Norse
Sat, May 30, 2015 9:51PM
Saw the video footage
Sat, May 30, 2015 9:49PM
Read SEIU's press release
Fri, May 29, 2015 3:20PM
Razer Ray
Fri, May 29, 2015 2:55PM
A little birdy
Fri, May 29, 2015 2:25PM
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