City of Novato employees represented by SEIU Local 1021 remain on strike since Tuesday, August 5. While SEIU has not shared how long the strike will continue, the City is hopeful service delivery and operations will return to normal soon. SEIU returned to the bargaining table on August 7 and is scheduled to meet with the City again on August 13. 

Due to the ongoing SEIU strike and limited staffing across several programs and facilities, the City made the difficult decision to cancel the following Parks & Recreation programs:

• Gymnastics classes will be closed through Saturday, August 9.
• Camp Ton-of-Fun, Camp Ton-of-Fun Minis, Counselor In Training, and Gymnastics Full and Half Day Camp will remain closed through the final week of the season, August 11–15.

All Sports Camp will remain open for the final week of camp, August 11-15. All other programs and classes will continue to be evaluated, and participants will be notified directly of any changes.

City staff have reached out directly to impacted parents and participants to provide refunds for classes and programs, as well as make alternative camp programming available through the local YMCA. For questions related to Parks & Recreation programs, please contact novatofun@novato.org. 

These closures do not impact the Margaret Todd Senior Center and Hamilton Pool as these facilities remain open to the public. Police services are not impacted. 

Additionally, several City services continue to be impacted with longer response times and delays:

• Permit processing and inspections
• Parks, streets and facilities maintenance requests (including potholes, medians and public restrooms)
• Pool maintenance
• Business licensing
• Administrative and public counter services
• Non-emergency inquiries 

The City is offering SEIU employees 11% salary increases over three years with equity adjustments of up to an additional 13% to move specific positions closer to market median. For all employees, the City continues to cover 100% medical benefits for employees and their families, offer a flexible work schedule and provide eight additional weeks of paid parental leave. 

We thank our community for their ongoing support, patience and understanding during this time.