The Facts

San Francisco may see its first City Hall worker strike in 50 years soon. Due to a California Public Employment Relations Board ruling in 2023 which struck down the city's strike ban, first enacted in 1976, unions are gearing up for a big fight.

A $642.8 million deficit over the next two years is colliding head-on with these new rules. After Mayor Lurie sent a palty 127 pink slips in April, SEIU 1021's Kristin Hardy told Joe Fitzgerald Rodriguez at The Standard that city workers could "shut down the whole city" if deeper cuts continue.

The Context

San Francisco’s Charter still contains 1970s-era rules threatening mandatory dismissal for city workers who strike, part of a voter-driven backlash to major strikes that shut down the city for weeks. Instead of strikes, interest arbitration has been used to ensure labor contract negotiations don't shut down the city every few years. The 2023 ruling found the strike ban unlawful and unenforceable for most non-public-safety workers.

SEIU is running Prop D, telling voters that the money will be used for healthcare. But in reality, if it passes the money will go into the general fund and SEIU will try to use it to get raises.

The GrowSF Take

San Francisco cannot budget by wishful thinking, and the unions cannot get everything they want when the city is losing money. The city needs a disciplined budget, clear priorities, and faster economic growth, and that means voting No on Prop D.