San Francisco Superior Court remained open Thursday for mandated essential and emergency services as the union representing court clerks held a strike against what they say are management's violations of labor laws.
The union -- Service Employees International Union Local 1021 -- announced its strike on Wednesday evening and on Thursday roughly 200 workers in the criminal, civil and juvenile justice divisions went on strike.
The union in a press release said the strike was due to court management's "refusal to negotiate in good faith" on staffing and training issues "that have already caused over 70 misdemeanor cases to be dismissed and that continue to cause unnecessary delays and errors that can be very consequential to people's lives."
Clerks could be seen Thursday outside the Hall of Justice on Bryant Street in a picket line carrying signs and chanting "Vamos a ganar," or "We are going to win."
"The Court will ensure that mandated services are available with the help of management employees who will triage and prioritize emergency matters for people who need help today," said Court Executive Officer Brandon Riley in a statement released by the court, which said the union had only given management 60 minutes of notice of the strike.
Court management said resources will be shifted to prioritize cases with statutory deadlines such as criminal cases, custody arrangements, unlawful detainers and civil harassment and domestic violence matters. Those without deadlines will be recessed.
"It is unfortunate that SEIU has decided to disrupt court services after many hours of negotiations, and a mediation session, to reach a fair contract," said Riley.
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Riley said budget cuts have impacted contract negotiations, saying that the state reduced funding for the judicial branch in fiscal year 2024-25, "which has resulted in a $2.5 million ongoing cut to the Court's budget."
Riley said more cuts are expected in the next fiscal year.
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The strike is also coming during the second week of the high-profile trial of Nima Momeni, who is accused of killing Cash App founder Bob Lee.
"Clerks from other divisions are being thrown in to cover absences and vacancies without proper training. Different courtrooms handle different kinds of matters, some of which are unique to that courtroom alone. Clerks aren't just interchangeable parts to be slotted in without a second thought," Thompson said.
"Currently you have defendants sitting in county jail longer than they should have to, and victims and their families waiting longer than they should have to, for their day in court," he said.
In its Thursday statement, management from the court said it offered a contract with a $6,500 one-time payment that could be pensionable or non-pensionable. They argued that such a lump sum payment can be equated to a between 6.18 and 11.53 percent one-time increase.
"San Francisco court wages for clerk classifications are higher than at similar-sized metropolitan Bay Area courts," the court added.
The court also offered an increase to employees' health benefits of $1,565, it said.
