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Inspectors union flexes muscles at city hall
By Stephen Baxter
San Jose's building inspectors ended a 13-day strike on Dec. 11, agreeing to a new contract offer. The new agreement allows temporary public arbitration of disciplinary appeals, which had been a source of conflict for the inspectors and city officials.
"I am pleased that the strike is over and that our building inspectors have accepted the city's offer," said Mayor Chuck Reed, in a statement.
The first city workers' strike in 20 years began on Nov. 29 in front of San Jose City Hall when the city's building inspectors formed a picket line.
Some home builders and business owners had to reschedule building inspections planned for Nov. 29 and 30, but by Dec. 11, roughly 40 replacement inspectors had been hired and the backlog was cleared, city officials said.
There are about 90 inspectors in the city's Association of Building, Mechanical and Electrical Inspectors.
"Things are going well despite the situation, and we want our guys on the job as quickly as possible," said Jennifer Garnett, spokeswoman for the city's building department during the strike. "We have to do what we can to keep buildings safe and meet the needs of our customers."
Many city officials were not warned of the strike, and they said its first two days were chaotic.
San Jose's contract with the Association of Building, Mechanical and Electrical Inspectors ended on Oct. 19, and union members stopped work because they say that inspectors' disciplinary actions should be resolved by an arbitrator rather than by the Civil Service Commission. The commission, union leaders say, might not offer the unbiased environment of arbitration because its members are appointed by the
city council.
Of San Jose's 7,000 city employees, only police and firefighters can choose to resolve disciplinary actions with an arbitrator. The rest must use the Civil Service Commission, which city officials say is a fair way to resolve issues.
"The commission is very thorough, it works, and there's no reason to change it," said Alex Gurza, San Jose employee relations director.
Union members disagree.
"It is common perception among city employees that the Civil Service Commission is simply a rubber stamp in many cases," the union said in a statement.
Other issues have been resolved in the building inspectors' contract, Gurza said, including 6.75 percent pay raises over two years.
Some new shops that need inspections have not been hindered by the strike.
At 1411 The Alameda, Calvin's World-Famous South Philly Cheesesteak is set to open Jan. 10. The business replaces Just Great Sandwiches, and Calvin's owner Jonne Aleeson said some new kitchen equipment would be inspected in several weeks.
"It doesn't affect us," Aleeson said as he worked on the restaurant's interior.
Garnett said home-remodeling projects likely were stalled if their appointments were scheduled for Nov. 29 or Nov. 30. Each city building inspector typically examines six to 12 sites daily, depending on the complexity of the project.
At least one elected official sympathized with the strikers.
Councilwoman Nora Campos refused to cross the picket line, and on Dec. 6 she set up a temporary office at the Dr. Roberto Cruz Library in District 5. Campos' father was a Ford Motor Company employee, and she has been involved for years in union efforts of the United Auto Workers and United Farm Workers.
"As elected officials, it is important that we recognize the significance of all members of our workforce and are mindful of their daily contributions to our diverse economy," Campos said in a statement.
