East Bay Parks and Workers Reach Deal, Avoid Fourth of July Strike

By Zoneil Maharaj

The public will have one less strike to worry about this week. 

The East Bay Regional Parks District and its workers reached a tentative contract agreement Monday night, avoiding a strike that was planned for July 4 and 5.

The strike would have closed popular swim areas at go-to 4th of July destinations, according to Cliff Rocha, president of AFSCME Local 2428.

The union represents more than 600 East Bay Regional Parks District employees who work at 60 parks throughout the area. The union and EBRPD have been in negotiations since February.

“We’re happy to reach a respectful agreement with EBRPD that avoids a strike and keeps our parks running safely and accessible to all of our park users,” Rocha told Patch. “We maintain such a high level of service for the public.”

The new four-year contract comes after mediation and settles disputes on worker wages and retirement and benefit contributions. According to Rocha, workers’ take-home pay has eroded in recent years as benefit contributions and the cost of living have increased.

“We’ve worked with the park district through recession and now we’re glad to share in the recovery,” Rocha said.

According to Carol Johnson of the EBRPD, the new contract includes a 9.5 percent salary increase, but workers will also be asked to contribute an additional 4 percent of their wages to cover retirement costs.

Park workers must vote to ratify and formalize the tentative agreement, which will occur mid-July, Rocha said.

“The great news is that the park strike has been avoided. All parks, swim areas and camp grounds will be open 4th of July,” Johnson said. “The public can come ad have a great July 4th without any disruptions.”