The San Mateo County American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 829 union picketed in front of Burlingame City Hall for 16 hours on Monday, Dec. 4, citing intimidation and suppression of free speech from City Management as they negotiate a contract. The strike, attended by over 100 AFSCME members, guest speakers and union supporters, was the first since 1981.

“There were three incidents of unfair labor practices where city managers threatened employees after they spoke up to the city council and exercised their rights and public comment to advocate for fair wages and better working conditions,” AFSCME representative Rod Palmquist said. “[One example was] after [an employee] spoke at city council, the superintendent of parks told the employee that the mayor of Burlingame, Michael Brownrigg, takes comments personally and that we, as in AFSCME, have to watch what we say.”

In response, AFSCME helped workers file official retaliation charges against Burlingame with the California Public Employment Relations Board. Even with the suit filed, AFSCME reported continued suppression of speech from Burlingame managers. The lack of progress was a key motive for the strike, which received support from 96% of the union.

“The retaliation and the unfair labor practices kept happening [after the suit was filed],” said AFSCME member Dante Campania, a sewer lead worker. “Nothing was said from city council or city managers [regarding the suit].”

AFSCME states that the strike is solely in response to retaliation and unfair labor practices and bears no relation to contract negotiations and worker compensation. However, these issues are inherently related because the alleged intimidation occurred when the two concerns were voiced to the city council. Currently, AFSCME is six months into negotiating a contract with Burlingame, locking all raises and bonuses until a contract is finalized — one that AFSCME hopes will include a wage hike.