Maintenance and Water Division Employees on Strike in Orange, California

Over 70 public works employees, members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 47, have gone on strike in the city of Orange, following months of labor negotiations that recently reached an impasse. The strike, which began this week, is a result of the employees’ demand for fair wages and benefits that would bring parity with other cities of the same scale.

The employees, who represent the city’s maintenance and crafts and water divisions, are seeking a salary increase that would keep up with the consumer price index. According to Local 47 Business Manager and Financial Secretary Colin Lavin, “Our members are not asking for a huge raise… They haven’t taken any of that into account, so this city needs to do something.”

The city leaders and IBEW Local 47 have been engaged in labor negotiations since spring 2025, when the labor union’s contract with the city expired. Mayor Dan Slater stated that the city offered a 2% increase, which is the same increase offered to all other employees. However, Slater acknowledged that the employees need more than a 2% increase, but the city cannot afford it due to budget deficits.

The city has been struggling with budget deficits, which have been reduced from $20 million to $2.6 million this fiscal year after approving $18 million in general fund cuts. Slater emphasized that all of the city’s employees, including the striking workers, are underpaid compared to the median pay for Orange County. The city is losing quality employees due to low pay, and Slater expressed sympathy for the employees but stated that the city cannot spend money it does not have.

The strike may affect certain services, including maintenance and repairs, response to time-sensitive issues, and non-emergency field and administrative services. However, essential services such as police, fire, emergency response services, and the safety of the city’s drinking water systems will not be affected. Residents can continue to make service requests through the Orange 24/7 app and the city’s 24-hour water emergency repair line.

The duration of the strike is uncertain, but Lavin stated that the employees are willing to continue the strike for as long as it takes to achieve their goals. The employees are gathering to picket outside City Hall, chanting for “fair contracts” and demanding that the city take action to address their concerns.

Key Points:

• Over 70 public works employees are on strike in the city of Orange, California.
• The employees are seeking fair wages and benefits that would bring parity with other cities of the same scale.
• The city has been struggling with budget deficits and cannot afford to offer a significant salary increase.
• Certain services may be affected by the strike, but essential services will continue to operate.
• The duration of the strike is uncertain, but the employees are willing to continue the strike for as long as it takes to achieve their goals.

Keywords:

strike, public works employees, labor negotiations, fair wages, benefits, budget deficits, city of Orange, California, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 47.