City Workers "Fall Guy" for Economy?

Council Member Iya Falcone heard it from Mayor Marty Blum this week on what must have been a tough decision to switch her vote on the city contract from one week to the next (Santa Barbara Independent). Admitting that the Service Employees union had become the "fall guy", Falcone and Council Member Francisco had moved to block SEIU's modest 5% over two years contract. Falcone had both voted for and spoken in favor of the contract the week before. Does this make them the "big heavy" as they are telling us what we don't want to hear?

These kind of votes so close to an election cycle bother me as they are so prone to political maneuvering. Falcone has enjoyed the support of the police officer's and firefighters union...both of whom received a more than 20% increase over three years fairly recently. Council Members Schneider, WIlliams and Blum have all enjoyed support from the SEIU, who has not only asked for a modest increase but had made $600,000 in concessions in the contract.

Add on top of that how we now have a mayoral campaign landscape where there is one to the left and at least two in the center of the political spectrum -- and candidates have to find some way to distinguish themselves. This may mean running to the right of center on some issues. Unfortunately, city workers are a convenient target for many -- like they are living off of some kind of largesse? Most I know are just like you and me -- struggling to make it in Santa Barbara and save a little money for a rainy day.