Their effort follows a successful drive to unionize workers at a New York REI, and a national organizing push among service workers.

Nico Savidge
Nico Savidge joined Berkeleyside in 2021 as a senior reporter covering city hall. Born and raised in Berkeley, he got his start in journalism at Youth Radio as a high-schooler in the mid-2000s. Since then, he has covered transportation, law enforcement, education and college sports for the San Jose Mercury News, EdSource, the Wisconsin State Journal, The Janesville Gazette and The Daily Cardinal. A graduate of Berkeley High School and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he now lives in Oakland with his wife and dog.
How to share your thoughts on Berkeley’s housing plans
The city has released a draft of its Housing Element, which is likely to face close scrutiny from all sides of the housing debate.
To boost affordable housing, Berkeley looks to buy, not just build
With construction costs high, Berkeley is increasingly looking to create affordable housing by buying and fixing up older buildings.
Berkeley will not join rest of Alameda County in reinstating mask mandate
The city’s public health officer has opted not to reinstate the requirement, citing data showing COVID cases in decline locally.
Berkeley could vote on 2 measures to build affordable housing, pave streets
Officials say a proposed $28M per year parcel tax increase could bring the city’s roads to “good” condition in a decade.
Protesters condemn Berkeley mayor for trip to Israel
Demonstrators called the Berkeley mayor’s trip tone-deaf because it took place soon after the killing of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh.
Photos: See inside the rebuilt Berkeley Tuolumne Camp
The new camp, which welcomes families back this summer, was built to be more accessible and better protected from wildfire.
Under threat from climate change, Berkeley’s family camps adapt to survive
As Berkeley Tuolumne Camp reopens, the city’s cherished rustic retreats are facing growing threats from wildfires and landslides.
Shattuck Cinemas is closing, as downtown loses another movie theater
Downtown Berkeley, which once boasted a half-dozen movie theaters, will soon be down to one.
Proposal for California Theatre would keep facade, add high-rise housing
A proposal to build “approximately 15 stories” of new housing behind the theater’s facade cleared an early hurdle this month.
Berkeley’s first (legal) electric scooter rentals launching this week
Find out how many scooters and bikes are coming to Berkeley, and how you can report illegally parked vehicles.
New bike lanes coming to Hopkins Street despite some neighbors’ objections
Some of the area’s residents and merchants vehemently opposed plans for new bike lanes that will require the removal of parking spaces.