Operating Engineers Local 3 contends negotiations are stalled with the City of Manteca.

That is why they are staging a second informational picket, this time at Union Road and Yosemite Avenue on Wednesday, Aug. 26, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Yet, a check with city officials indicated right after last Tuesday’s council meeting, the city wanted to meet with the Operating Engineers representatives last week but they declined because the union representative was on vacation.

The earliest the union indicated they could meet was this Wednesday morning, the same day they have another informational picket planned in the afternoon.

The city also forwarded several proposals to the union that the union wanted further clarification regarding numbers.

Meanwhile, the following day after last week’s council meeting the city and Technical Support Services — the only other of the city’s seven bargaining groups yet to reach a contract deal — met.

That bargaining unit is preparing to bring the city’s latest proposal to its membership.

The council also gave City Manager Toni Lundgren directives on a proposal to settle the Operating Engineers contract last week

The delay in reaching an agreement is coming at the expensive of the 100 plus members of the Operating Engineers since the city has made it clear — as they did with five other unions they have settled with — negotiated pay will not be retroactive to July 1.

Operating Engineers Local 3 said they are trying to secure a “fair and equitable contract.”

The two sides have had 12 negotiation sessions so far.

The union contends their rate of pay is not aligned with inflation and cost-of-living increases, with the purchasing power of these essential workers falling behind over the past 10 years. They point to members in positions of upper management for the City of Manteca have received “extraordinary increases” – increases that far exceed a cap imposed on the City’s blue-collar workforce.

The city notes much of that was the result or the pay of rank and file members almost be equal — and in some cases exceeding — that paid to mid-management that supervise them.

“I think if you work in the Valley, you should be able to live in the Valley, and it feels like you can’t, if you're a resident here, a local,” said Collections Maintenance Worker Deven Goodwin in a press release from the union.

“The pay raises don't show that … Being with the City for nine years, I've seen a lot in contracts. I've seen the same numbers over and over, while other people are getting a little bit more numbers. I just think our work is going unvalued. The workers in this bargaining unit are always the first asked and the last considered. We are the backbone of this City and just want to feel some appreciation for that … Stand in solidarity and show that we are important. We know we are.”

Workers spoke out at last week’s Manteca City Council meeting and held an informational picket on Aug. 13.

Joel Ayala, who has worked for the City for 18 years, can’t afford to live in the City he maintains.

"I would love to live here one day still, but I can't right now,“ Ayala said. “It’s unaffordable for me. It's demoralizing, you know? Especially seeing other people getting raises and us getting the bare minimum. I know a few coworkers that are looking for other jobs. It’s tough … We're not out here bashing anybody. We're not doing anything illegal. We're just out here letting our voices be heard in the legal, safe way, and hopefully it has a positive impact for us.”

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com