Month-Long Labor Dispute in Solvang Ends As Tentative Deal Announced
SOLVANG, Calif. (KEYT) - The city of Solvang and Teamsters Local 986 just reached a tentative labor agreement.
It resolves a contract dispute that led to a four-week work stoppage.
Members of Teamsters Local 986 approved and ratified the contract, sending the measure to the city for final approval.
“We came to an agreement yesterday and it was a big moment of relief,” says assistant city manager Olivia Uribe-Mutal.
Solvang mayor David Brown expressed optimism about the settlement and thanked those involved in the negotiations.
“Labor negotiations are just a part of public service, and they're just part of the different processes that exist,” says Uribe-Mutal. “And they are to the benefit of our employees. And when our employees do well, so does the city.”
Union representative Jeff Lee says the strike included a majority of city staff standing in solidarity.
“This was city employees, roughly 80% of the city staff,” says Lee. “It was—we represent about 30, 30 members in the bargaining unit.”
Officials say if the agreement had not been reached, the strike would have entered its fifth week.
“I certainly want to provide some thanks to the city for their willingness to come to the table to create a resolution and, allows everybody to get back to work and lets our members continue to serve as a community,” says Lee.
Both the city and the union acknowledged city employees for their daily service and dedication, while also thanking local residents, businesses and visitors for their patience during the labor dispute.
“The people that stayed behind did a lot of overtime to keep up with all of the tasks that were priorities, and all of the things that were behind were deferred maintenance and things that we can catch up on,” says Uribe-Mutal.
The Solvang city council is scheduled to consider the tentative agreement at its October 26th meeting.
“All the details of the agreement and all of those things are very technical and all of that has to get put together,” says Uribe-Mutal.
The city will make the full terms and details of the contract public at that time.
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