City Unions Slam Mayor Lurie's Budget: "This is the budget Airbnb wants."

Layoffs threaten public services while big tech gets a free pass.

SAN FRANCISCO, May 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- City unions are denouncing Mayor Lurie's budget proposal, which includes massive layoffs of city workers. City unions—including IFPTE Local 21, SEIU Local 1021, and the SF Building Trades—issued the following joint statement condemning the cuts and demanding a budget that protects public jobs and the essential services they support.

"Layoffs are totally unnecessary. We can find the funds to save jobs and uphold San Francisco values," said Rudy Gonzalez, Secretary-Treasurer of the San Francisco Building & Construction Trades Council.

"We are deeply disappointed that the mayor has chosen to cut crucial public services that San Francisco residents and small businesses rely on, rather than working with city workers on the pathway forward that we laid out five months ago. Corporations that profit off our city's workforce and infrastructure are trying to avoid paying their fair share of taxes, and San Franciscans are paying the price," said SEIU 1021 President Theresa Rutherford, who has worked at Laguna Honda Hospital for over 20 years.

Union leaders point to big tech tax avoidance as the real reason behind the deficit. Corporations like Airbnb are actively suing the City for tax breaks amounting to $415 million, more than half of the total projected deficit. Union leaders argue that Airbnb is being given the mayor's blessing to avoid paying their fair share in taxes.

"This is the budget that Airbnb wants. None of these job cuts should be on the table, but the mayor has decided that tax breaks for Airbnb are more important than public services," said Sarah Perez, San Francisco City Employee and SF Vice President for IFPTE Local 21. "And, this budget is a big payday for private contractors. Cutting public jobs often means handing over important work to for-profit companies, increasing costs and inviting corruption."

IFPTE Local 21, SEIU Local 1021, and the SF Building Trades represent tens of thousands of city workers across every city department. In the coming weeks, city workers and community allies are planning to mobilize for their demand to reverse proposed layoffs.

SOURCE IFPTE Local 21