Plus, a Christmas in the Park fundraiser.
 
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57º | Mostly sunny | 5% chance of rain | Sunrise: 7:22 a.m. | Sunset: 5:06 p.m.
 

Three-day strike on the horizon

An update on the San Jose city workers’ strike
San Jose city hall with a graphic of hands holding signs.
Learn why San Jose city workers are going on strike. | Photo + graphic by SJtoday staff
After months of back-and-forth pay negotiations, San Jose city employees voted to go on a three-day strike (with 96%-99% approval) — which was set to start Tuesday, Aug. 15 and run through Thursday, Aug. 17.

Now, on the day of the planned strike, the local labor unions heading it have reached an agreement with city officials.

What led to this?

In early June, 4,000+ city workers demanded a raise to compensate for the added workload as their departments face approx. 900 vacant positions.

City officials have pushed back on these requests, warning of a budget shortfall in the next fiscal year — which, according to Mayor Matt Mahan, would mean potentially firing police officers or closing community centers + the Animal Care and Services Center.

Local union chapters IFPTE Local 21 + MEF-AFSCME Local 101 asked for employees to receive an 18% wage increase over three years, but the city is saying that anything over the proposed 12.5% would mean cutting more services.

Has this happened before?

Yes, but it’s been a while since we’ve seen a planned city strike quite this large. In 1981, ~1,500 city workers went on strike for equal pay for comparable work. It lasted 10 days before the city ended in a settlement promising equity adjustments for female-dominated jobs.

An agreement

On Tuesday, Aug. 15, San Jose’s local union chapters representing 4,000+ city workers called off the strike after coming to an agreement with city officials regarding salary negotiations.

The deal outlines a 14.5% raise over the next three years for city workers, as well as increased paid family leave from one week to eight weeks.

Union workers will see a 6% increase this year, a 5% increase next year, and a 3.5% increase in 2024-2025 — with the potential for 4%, if the city has the funds.

Since this new contract deals with this year’s budget, the city will have to readjust its original plans and find the money to make up for the new wage deal. Details about budget cuts were not immediately made public, but we’ll continue to update this story as more is announced.
 
Events
Wednesday, Aug. 9
  • Chopsticks Alley’s Creativitea Open Mic | Wednesday, Aug. 9 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Olinder Theater, 848 E. William St., San Jose | Free | Enjoy this month’s AAPI open mic/revue — held every second Wednesday of the month.
  • Harry Potter Trivia Night | Wednesday, Aug. 9 | 7-9 p.m. | Round Table Pizza, 1159 Redmond Ave., San Jose | $8-$24 | Prove your expert knowledge of the Wizarding World and the “boy who lived.”
Thursday, Aug. 10
  • Pobladores Night Market | Thursday, Aug. 10 | 5:30-9 p.m. | Parque de los Pobladores, South First + Market streets, San Jose | Free | Enjoy live music, art displays, a beer garden, and food trucks at this weekly night market.
  • Party101 with DJ Matt Bennett | Thursday, Aug. 10 | 8 p.m. | The Ritz, 400 S. First St., San Jose | $13.50-$20 | Join the “Victorious” star for a night of throwback jams.
  • Felipe Esparza | Thursday, Aug. 10-Saturday, Aug. 12 | Times vary | San Jose Improv, 62 S. Second St., San Jose | $35-$100 | Along with being on Adult Swim’s “The Eric Andre Show,” and winning “Last Comic Standing” in 2010, this comedian continues to sell out shows across the country.
Friday, Aug. 11
  • Vintage Market by Pop-Up SJ | Friday, Aug. 11 | 4-9 p.m. | Garden at the Flea, 1590 Berryessa Rd., San Jose | Free, $5-$10 parking | Sneakerheads, vintage lovers, artists, and makers unite at this bi-monthly market.
  • Family Function | Friday, Aug. 11 | 9 p.m.-2 a.m. | Noite, 399 S. First St., San Jose | $0-$5 | It’s all good vibes at this party that’s open to all walks of life.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
News Notes
Development
  • A four-story, mixed-use building is being proposed across from Santa Clara University (SCU) at 2655 The Alameda — and it could house more SCU students. The development would include 39 market-rate apartments and ground-floor restaurant space. If approved, the project could be constructed by the end of 2025. (Silicon Valley Business Journal)
Cause
  • The JW House, a nonprofit that provides a home for families while loved ones are in local hospitals, will host its yearly Summer Love donation drive next month — and add a new twist. This year will be conducted as a friendly competition with challenges and prizes — get the details.
Feel Good
  • Natasha Santana, an instructor for West Coast Martial Arts in Campbell, has undergone three brain surgeries — and went viral on TikTok for it. By spreading awareness about the importance of health + her journey, she garnered ~1.6 million views. Learn more about her story. (ABC 7 News)
Plan Ahead
  • San Jose’s Hot August Nights — an annual Christmas in the Park fundraiser — will return to History Park on Saturday, Aug. 19, 5-10 p.m. Enjoy an evening of live music, lawn games, a classic car show, food trucks, and beer + wine. Tickets start at $75.
Shop
Finance
  • Refinance rates are skyrocketing. But home equity rates remain relatively low — which means that now is a great time to borrow against your home. Calculate your payment.*
Read

📖 Calling all bibliophiles

4 independent bookstores around San Jose, CA
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Leigh’s + Bookasaurus are two bookstores in one. | Photo via @the.bookmarker
Hey y’all, City Editor Alyson here — can I admit something? I absolutely love to pick up new books even if it means... not finishing them first. If you can relate, I’ve got a good excuse for you to go grab another read: It’s National Book Lovers Day.

For all you literature collectors, click the button below for independent bookstores in our area where you can pick up even more for your bookshelf.

📚 Recycle Bookstore, 1066 The Alameda + 275 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell
Explore large collections of science fiction, mystery, literature, art, history, and more. Recycle will buy back books for cash or store credit.

📚 Leigh’s Favorite Books, 121 + 125 S. Murphy Ave., Sunnyvale
Leigh’s offers new + used books, greeting cards, games, socks, and stickers. On the note of giving: you can trade old books for store credit. Don’t miss Bookasaurus — Leigh’s next-door children’s bookstore.
Two more to explore
Shop
Read
  • The latest Kindle model — the Kindle Paperwhite — boasts a glare-free display, warm light options for night, and is waterproof from the beach to the bath.
Trending
  • The buzziest deodorant in the beauty scene: Lume whole body deodorant. Free of aluminum or baking soda, it offers odor protection anywhere and everywhere.
Award
  • The 2023 Etsy Design Award Winners are here. Check out extraordinary, imaginative items including cactus leather bags, whimsical dandelion lamps, and donut mugs.
Pets
  • Want to give your pup a paw-sitive surprise? Spoil them with treats from Botanical Bones – guaranteed to fit any pup’s personality.
 
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The Wrap
 
Alyson Chuyang headshot

Today’s edition by:
Alyson
From the editor
My partner and I are celebrating our third anniversary in a couple weeks and I’m wondering if any of you have suggestions for a nice restaurant that isn’t too expensive but still romantic. Let me know.
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