One of Vallejo’s employee unions is continuing its legal fight against the city’s rejection of its contract in bankruptcy court.
The Bay Area city declared bankruptcy in May 2008, saying it could no longer afford to pay workers their contracted salaries.
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, which represents most of the city’s non-public safety employees, has appealed the rejection of its contract.
City officials issued a news release July 16 criticizing the IBEW’s latest legal maneuver.
“The appeal, which likely will not be decided for 18 months to two years, will cause the city of Vallejo to expend more of its dwindling resources on attorneys rather than on city services, including public safety and other critical general fund expenses,” the news release said.
The IBEW contract was rejected by U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Michael McManus in September 2009.
The union appealed that ruling to U.S. District Court, and Judge John Mendez sided with the city in June, affirming the bankruptcy court ruling.
Last week, the IBEW filed an appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Since filing for bankruptcy, Vallejo has renegotiated contracts with its police and firefighters’ unions. It is now trying to reopen the police contract and has been unable to negotiate a new contract with the IBEW.
