Palo Alto Workers Support New Direction for Palo Alto

About 40 workers and supporters converged in front of Palo Alto City Councilmember Larry Klein's office Nov. 18 to support a new direction for Palo Alto.

The city violated public trust this year with a tree-chopping debacle on California Avenue, followed by rejecting mediation with city workers and unilaterally imposing work conditions.

Workers held an informational picket in front of Klein's office at Dorsey and Whitney LLP and held up signs that said "Restore Public Trust" and "New Council, New Direction."

"We're here to show support for a new direction for the city of Palo Alto," said Martha Walters, a business analyst for city libraries. "The city has violated public trust. We hope that a new city council can help move the city in a direction of collaboration and inclusiveness."

Many workers said they will face hardship once the council’s unilaterally imposed cuts take affect.

"We're basically looking at bankruptcy if this lasts longer than a few months," said Matt Johnson, a wastewater operator for the city whose family stands to lose $700 a month under city-imposed cuts. "We'll have to stop paying our mortgage or our car loans."

At one point during the picket Klein walked out to engage workers. When workers told Klein that city leaders preemptively created a budget around concessions that they planned for workers to accept, Klein said, "Yes. That's right. That's how one negotiates."

A worker then told Klein that's not bargaining in good faith.

For more information and recent updates, visit:

- PaloAltoisFallingShort.com
- City of Palo Alto chapter web page