We’re excited to share that AFSCME-endorsed candidate Gabby Chavez-Lopez has emerged as the top vote-getter in the San Jose District 3 special election with over 2700 hundred votes, 700 more than her second place of the vote, Gabby has secured a commanding first-place finish and is advancing to the June 24th runoff election for this crucial city council seat.

Gabby’s campaign — powered by grassroots energy and community connection — beat back over $800,000 in political spending from PACs and special interests, many backing her opponents. Despite the flood of outside money, her message of equity, affordable housing, and accountable government resonated deeply with voters.

Her closest competitor? That’s still undecided. Just a few votes separate Mayor Mahan’s handpicked candidate Matthew Quevedo from Planning Commission Chair Anthony Tordillos — a razor-thin margin that may trigger a recount.

The stakes couldn’t be higher for city workers. The Dist….

On Wednesday, April 17th—the union officially filed a grievance against the City of San José in response to its plan to force hybrid employees back into the office four days a week starting June 2, 2025, without negotiating with us.

🔗 Click here to read the full grievance we filed.

Let’s be clear: this is a political move, not a policy based on what's good for workers—or even the City's operations.

What’s Really Going On?

This push isn’t about productivity. It’s about appeasing downtown business interests.

Mayor Matt Mahan, under pressure from the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, wants the City of San José to set an example for private employers by forcing employees back into the office. Their goal? Boost foot traffic downtown so restaurants and service businesses get more lunchtime customers.

But sacrificing your flexibility, well-being, and work-life balance to try and save the sandwich shops on Santa Clara Street? That’s a ridiculous strategy.

The City's Own Policy Says Otherwise

Let’s not forget what the City’s own Flexible Workplace Policy—originally adopted in 2015 and last updated in November 2023—was created for

Thanks to your collective action, it looks like we’ve done the impossible — beat back City Hall’s proposed layoffs. While the City hasn’t finalized the budget yet, the latest update from City Manager Jennifer Maguire suggests that very few, if any, layoffs are expected — and that even those affected are likely to be placed into vacant positions.

Let’s take a moment to celebrate this. Your emails, your rally signs, your creative budget-saving ideas, your solidarity — it all worked. This was our campaign, and your voice made the difference. You showed up, and it mattered.

But let’s also be clear: this fight isn’t over.

The City is already sounding the alarm about next year’s budget. While the current shortfall was…