Milpitas city employee unions on the brink of strike as contract negotiations hit roadblock

Milpitas employees are preparing for a potential strike after months of failed contract negotiations with the city.

Two of the city’s employee unions — Pro-Tech and the Milpitas Employees Association (MEA), representing about 146 workers across multiple departments — have been negotiating a new contract since last April.  The previous contract expired on July 1, 2023. Union representatives said their biggest asks are for a cost of living adjustment to keep up with inflation, as well as efforts to increase retention by giving pay bumps to employees who reach certain years on the job and when they earn specific certifications.