Catherwood LibraryILR School

The city of Palo Alto has stated that it has reached an impasse in negotiations with the SEIU, the city?s largest labor union. After months of talks the two parties are not significantly closer in the most contentious issues: pay, cost of living, health benefits, and health care for retirees. The city?s position is that pay should be realigned to the market median. SEIU, representing over 600 employees, is seeking to maintain the current levels of cost, pay, and benefits, and even looking for an increase with regard to cost-of-living raises. The union had conceded to benefit cuts, a dual pension system, and increased health care costs immediately following the recession, but refuses to continue making concessions.