A new proposal sponsored by San Jose mayor Chuck Reed has outraged local union leaders. Under the proposed guidelines, labor leaders would no longer be allowed to meet privately with city council members to discuss ongoing negotiations or strategy. Union representatives charge that the city is trying to silence the unions, preventing the council from hearing arguments for both sides. The proposal comes at a time when both sides are preparing for a number of key contract negotiations over the next two years, including the San Jose police force and municipal employees.
See "San Jose wants to limit contacts between unions and council members", John Woolfolk, San Jose Mercury News, January 14, 2008