‘This contract is critical’: SJ city, labor unions at odds again, this time over budget cuts

San Jose leaders voted to eliminate vacant jobs, trim retiree sick leave payouts and claw back outdoor events to close a $2.8 million deficit from pay raises — but policymakers and union bosses can’t agree on whether those cuts were necessary.

The cuts to patch up the shortfall and rebalance San Jose’s budget came after a contentious, monthslong battle between the city and its two largest labor unions.