JOINT STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF

ALL CITY OF FREMONT LABOR GROUPS

June 30, 2025

Historic Labor Standstill in Fremont: All Nine Bargaining Units Set to Go Out of Contract for the First Time in City’s 68 Year History:

Fremont, CA – For the first time in the City of Fremont’s 68 year history, all nine employee bargaining units—including Police Officers, Firefighters, Public Works Staff, Maintenance Services, 911 Dispatchers, Community Services Officers, Police Support Positions, City Planners, Counselors, Building Inspectors, Code Enforcement Officers, Professional and Technical Staff Members, Administrative Employees, and Managers—will be operating without active labor contracts as of Tuesday July 1, 2025.

This unprecedented labor negotiation breakdown reflects a growing concern for the employees represented by these labor groups. Months of negotiations have failed to produce any agreements that address the urgent needs of employees who keep Fremont safe, running, and thriving.

“Every department that keeps this city functioning will be working without a contract. That should alarm every resident,” said a spokesperson representing several of the employee associations. “The message is clear: The City’s workforce is united in demanding fair treatment, competitive compensation, and respect.” The absence of labor agreements make filling departments facing historically high vacancies, such as police, nearly impossible. 

All bargaining units are hopeful that they will be able to reach fair agreements with the City soon, and despite not having any contracts, all bargaining units remain committed to serving the community and will not disrupt any services at this time. 

We urge the public to stay informed and to contact Fremont’s elected officials to express support for the people who serve this community every day.

This message is on behalf of all nine bargaining units:

• Battalion Chiefs, International Association of Fire Fighters (BC), Local 1689
• City of Fremont Employee Association (CFEA)
• Fremont Association of Management Employees (FAME)
• Fremont Professional Firefighters, Int'l Assoc of Firefighters (IAFF), Local 1689
• Fremont Police Association (FPA)
• Fremont Police Managers' Association (FPMA)
• Operating Engineers, Local Union No. 3 (OE3)
• Professional Engineers and Technicians Association (PETA)
• Teamsters, Local 856           

The Fremont Police Association has a long history of proactively providing unhoused community members with numerous services. For instance, the Fremont Police Department has a Mobile Evaluation Team (MET), whose primary job is interacting with unhoused community members and providing them with mental health services, substance abuse resources, employment services, and even temporary housing options. In 2020, the Fremont Police Association supported the City of Fremont’s construction of the Housing Navigation Center (HNC), which provides housing for 233 unhoused community members. Our MET Officers act as direct liaisons between the HNC and our unhoused community members, ensuring these members are provided with opportunities for safe, clean housing. Our MET Officers work tirelessly to provide these numerous resources to the City of Fremont’s unhoused community members, and the FPA has supported increasing the robustness of the MET program when staffing allows.

Currently, the resources and solutions our members provide only work when the unhoused community members desire change, and are willing to work with our officers or the various organizations providing these services. Sadly, MET Officers encounter individuals who are infringing upon the safety and wellbeing of other community members, and do not wish to accept any of the available resources provided by the City of Fremont.  During these encounters, our officers are typically hamstrung in obtaining solutions, and the community members who called for our service are left feeling helpless and victimized.  Additionally, this small fraction of the unhoused community places an inordinate demand on emergency services.  The Fremont Police Department and Fire Department regularly receive numerous calls for service regarding the same individuals, who do not wish to accept any resources offered. Through denying assistance and placing an inordinate demand on emergency services, these individuals reduce services available to other community members.

The implementation of FMC Chapter 8.90 would give our members the discretion to provide solutions to community members in search for answers to an unhoused community member’s infringement onto their safety and wellbeing. The Fremont Police Association does not believe this ordinance is a panacea. Rather, it is merely a tool to be used in limited circumstances when unhoused community members refuse to comply with requests and reject assistance.

The members of the Fremont Police Association pride ourselves on being some of the most well-trained and compassionate police officers in the nation. We are public servants, and as such, we serve the entire community.  Our officers are required to balance the interests of all parties on a daily basis, and have done so by exhibiting professionalism and compassion. The General Camping Ban is not a directive to conduct mass incarceration of unhoused community members, as some advocacy groups may claim. This is merely fear mongering. Rather, the members of the Fremont Police Association will continue to use their common sense to apply laws and ordinances in a rational way, that balances the interests of all members of the community. We understand the community trusts us. It has taken decades for our Association to build that trust, and the very last thing our members wish to do is erode that trust through the inappropriate application of discretionary laws.

Accordingly, we call on our community to support the passage of Fremont Municipal Code Chapter 8.90, because this ordinance will give our members – your police officers – the tools and discretion they need to provide the highest level of service to the public.

Show Your Support

Click here to Email City Council using the template below, or with your own specific supporting ideas.

Dear Fremont City Council Members,

I am writing to express my strong support for the proposed General Camping Ordinance (Fremont Municipal Code Chapter 8.90). This ordinance is a necessary step to ensure the safety and well-being of all Fremont residents while providing law enforcement with the tools needed to address the growing challenges associated with unhoused individuals who decline assistance.

I urge you to support the passage of FMC Chapter 8.90 to enhance public safety and maintain the quality of life for all Fremont residents. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address] (optional)
[Your Email] (optional)

A Fremont Police Association member investigated an automotive burglary in the City of Fremont. Our member learned during the investigation that Mr. Ray, the victim, is a 78-year-old working carpenter. On the morning of July 15, 2023, Mr. Ray looked forward to finishing work and fine detailing on his latest project, a beautiful mantle. Unfortunately, on this day, he discovered that his work truck had sustained thousands of dollars in damages, which resulted in the theft of his tools. As a result of this crime, Mr. Ray could not work to support his family. Mr. Ray explained to our member that his priority is to provide care and financial support for his wife, who has recently been hospitalized for multiple strokes. His loss from this auto burglary is detrimental to his household, and he needed assistance.

The Fremont Police Association asked for your help to restore Mr. Ray’s vehicle to working order and replace his stolen tools so that he can work and support his wife. We set a fundraiser goal based on the cost of damage to Mr. Ray’s truck and the value of his missing tools. With the help of the Fremont and Bay Area Community, The Fremont Police Association raised double that. We could not have raised so much money in only 13 hours without the help of our media partners, which include KTVU Fox 2 News and  ABC7 KGO Bay Area News.

On July 25th, 2023, FPA Members Grant Goepp and Lan Tran got to meet Mr. Ray and deliver the proceeds of our fundraiser. Mr. Ray expressed his gratitude for the generosity extended to his family by the Fremont Community and the entire Bay Area. The Fremont Police Association is proud and grateful for the privilege of being able to help a cause such as this to succeed.

FPA plans to launch a charitable organization which will facilitate similar causes and programs in the near future. Look for our launch both here and at fpacharities.org.

Today Fremont Police Association members proudly represented the Fremont Police Department at Fremont’s Burgers and Brews Festival. Our members made an award-winning burger and our Association President even had a chance to hang out with retired Fremont Police Officer and current City Council Member Rick Jones. Also, congratulations to City Council Member Rick Jones and Fremont Police Captain Matthew Snelson for getting first place in the Burger Competition! Check out some of our photos from today in the City of Fremont, CA Government!