Unionized municipal workers in Solvang, California—represented by Teamsters Local 986—have been on an indefinite strike since September 15, 2026, following a breakdown in wage negotiations with city officials.
Key Details of the Dispute
• The Workers: Roughly 30 unionized city employees (including engineering technicians and maintenance staff) walked off the job for the first strike in Solvang's history.
• The Spark: The strike began after the Solvang City Council unanimously voted to impose a final contract offer featuring a 4% first-year cost-of-living increase following five months of stalled talks.
• Wage Proposals:
• Union Demand: Initially requested a 52% raise over three years, later scaling back to a 28% demand (and a proposed 6-6-6 structure).
• City Counter-Offer: Offered a 6% increase in year one, 5% in year two, and 4% in year three (6-5-4), which the union subsequently rejected.
• Current Status: The city maintains that its imposed 4% increase remains active and available for workers returning to their jobs, while the picket lines continue as both sides remain at an impasse
