Union Members Strike in Novato

Local Union in Novato Launches Strike Over Staffing and Funding Issues

A local union representing public servants in Novato has initiated a strike, citing an ongoing staffing crisis that has left many positions unfilled. The union, SEIU 1021, represents a range of city workers, including street maintenance employees, building inspectors, park recreation coordinators, and city planners. According to union officials, the City of Novato is struggling with both recruitment and retention, with one in five employees represented by the union having less than a year of experience.

Perry Siu, a recreation supervisor for the city, expressed the union's frustration during the strike. "Novato’s public services run because of its employees. We love our jobs. We don’t want to go on strike. But we have to hold the City of Novato accountable to the community, its employees, and its fiscal commitments to public services," he said.

The city was notified about the strike on August 4 and claims it has been engaging in good faith negotiations with SEIU since early 2025. However, the union argues that the city has not fulfilled its promises made through Measure M, a sales tax measure passed by voters in November 2024. This initiative was designed to generate $10 million annually for local projects, with funds intended to support public safety, emergency response, roadway repairs, and parks and facilities maintenance.

SEIU 1021 has accused the city of failing to honor the will of the voters. "As a community, Novato voters passed Measure M to provide the necessary funds to make Novato thrive. The City of Novato must honor the will of the voters. The City should follow its strategic plan to recruit and retain staff so that we can fix Novato's potholes and keep our City safe," the union stated in a press release.

In response, the Novato City Council released a statement emphasizing their commitment to fair wages and financial sustainability. "With the support of Measure M, we’ve offered 11% raises over three years for all SEIU employees, with some receiving up to 24% through equity adjustments — while maintaining long-term financial sustainability. Despite multiple attempts to meet with SEIU over the past month, SEIU has chosen to prematurely strike instead of lawfully continuing negotiations. We are disappointed by this decision. We urge SEIU to return to the table in good faith so we can reach a fair and competitive agreement for Novato employees and stay focused on delivering high-quality services to the Novato community."

To mitigate the impact of the strike, the city has implemented a contingency plan. Residents may notice the following changes:

• Longer response times for administrative services and certain field operations
• Reduced staffing or modified hours at public counters and service desks
• Delays in processing permits, requests, and non-emergency inquiries

Specific impacts on Parks and Recreation include:

• Summer camps are being assessed; families will be contacted directly
• Athletic programs are being assessed; teams and players will be contacted directly
• Gymnastics classes and camps will be closed through Saturday
• Margaret Todd Senior Center will remain open
• Hamilton Pool will remain open

Importantly, police services will not be affected by the strike, according to city officials.

This strike highlights the growing tensions between local government and public sector unions over funding, staffing, and the delivery of essential services. As the situation unfolds, residents are being urged to stay informed and patient as the city works to manage the disruptions caused by the labor action.