Employees Union, City at Impasse in Contract Talks

VENTURA —  After 16 meetings and 80 hours arguing at the negotiating table, the city of Ventura and the Service Employees International Union have been unable to reach an agreement, Ventura SEIU Executive Director Barry Hammett said Friday.

“Basically, the two parties can’t resolve their differences by direct communication,” he said. The city manager could not be reached for comment Friday, but assistant to the city manager Steve Chase confirmed that months of talks had produced no agreement.

“SEIU has reached an impasse with the city,” he said.

Hammett said the two groups were trying to put together a three-year agreement to equalize benefits between one group of employees they have represented since 1981, and a newer group they have represented since last November.

SEIU represents 286 city employees, whose jobs include tree-trimming, maintaining public golf courses, data processing, and issuing parking tickets, Hammett said.

Hammett said the talks broke down for several reasons.

“Money is always an issue,” he said. “But there is also a question of respect.”

That respect comes down to decisions on whose salary to raise.

“When the fire chief gets a 5 3/4% pay raise,” he said. “Why do they offer me only one?” Hammett will meet with his members Thursday to decide what steps to take next.

“A strike is always an option,” he said.