Good morning, Redwood City!
The strike continues
It's day 9 of the strike led by hundreds of health care workers from Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City. They're out there, day after day, picketing in front of the hospital where they say wages are minimal, benefits are expensive and staffing levels are dangerously low.
Last Friday, all striking union members received a letter from the hospital management warning them that their health care coverage will end if they don't return to work by the end of the month. While legal, Stanford Law Professor William Gould called the move “a bit unusual" and "somewhat harsh." But workers and their supporters are using a different word: retaliation.
Read the full story here.
The future of Harbor View
Dozens of community members gathered in the council chambers last night to show their support for the Harbor View project. The proposed development, which has been in the works for years, came before city council for a study session (meaning no action was taken).
Harbor View, a project of the Jay Paul Company, proposes 765k sq ft of high-tech office space, including four 7-story office buildings, two multi-story parking structures and employee amenities on Blomquist St. near Redwood Creek. The applicant touted its "unprecedented" community benefits package, totaling more than $56 million and including a donation of 64 already renovated, extremely low income units. Led by Sister Christina of the St. Francis Center, many low income residents shared their support for the project, which they said would create critically needed housing for their neighbors.
Meanwhile, critics—including Vice mayor Diana Reddy—said that wasn't enough. You can read my Twitter coverage of last night's study session here.
Bye, Michael
Lastly, the city said goodbye to Council member Michael Smith who attended his final council meeting. Smith thanked his colleagues for their "commitment to exploring even the most seemingly trivial of subjects" and for inspiring him "to be better in this marketplace of ideas." Addressing his successor, he said: "I invite you to remember to keep your values and this city’s values as your north star in this seat."
Council voted unanimously to appoint his successor next month. More on that to come.
Whew, that was a long one. That's all for now…Happy Tuesday!
Leah
Photo of the Day Caption: A taste of the new Humphry Slocombe on Broadway. Photo by Stephanie Gerson, The Six Fifty | To have your photo featured, send us an email.
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