A 40-hour vigil took place outside San Diego's City Hall Monday, held by workers not happy with what they're calling a sizeable pay cut.
The blue collar workers protested a labor agreement recently imposed on them that includes a six-percent pay cut and benefit cuts. They hope the vigil will get the attention of Mayor Jerry Sanders and the city council. Members said they want to get back to the bargaining table and negotiate a contract that doesn't punish the lowest paid workers.
"We are the lowest paid workers in the city and cannot afford $200 out of take-home pay," said AFSCME Local 127 president Joan Raymond. "We won't be able to pay for grocery bills if this goes forward. We are hoping and praying that the city council and the mayor will find it in their hearts to change their minds."
Mayor Sanders said he wishes they had negotiated with the city council when they had the chance.
"They haven't' been rebuffed, but their way of saving money has always been cutting in on other unions' work force," said Sanders Monday. "We had a negotiation period and it's not fair to suddenly reopen because another group refused to come to an agreement before."
The union represents 2,000 city workers who collect trash, maintain city vehicles, fix streets, maintain parks and beach and other maintenance jobs. Their average salary is around $48,000, said Sanders.
Organizers hope to keep the vigil going until Tuesday when the city council meets again.
