About the Core Services Realignment
The City is restructuring and cutting seven “core service” areas by about 20%, affecting as many as 240 CPPW members. Communications changes are already moving ahead, and draft plans for the remaining areas are expected in January 2026, with cuts likely tied to early-2026 budget adjustments. CPPW is actively pushing for transparency, worker involvement, and fair treatment throughout this process.
This page provides updates, contacts, and our recent letter to City leadership.
Background
As many as 240 CPPW members (about 30%) work in one of seven “core services” the City is currently restructuring and cutting by about 20%. These areas are:
- Communications
- Community engagement
- Equity
- Budget and finance
- Human resources (HR)
- Procurement
- Technology
City leadership is calling this the Core Services Realignment. In practice, it means planned cuts and reorganizations that could change how work is done, where people sit, and in some cases, what positions exist.
CPPW has been tracking this closely and pushing City leaders to work directly with impacted staff and labor partners instead of making decisions behind closed doors.
Our current understanding is:
- The communications realignment is moving forward now.
- Draft plans for the other six areas are due in January 2026.
- Cuts for those areas are expected as part of a budget adjustment in early 2026 (exact date still to be decided).
Status by area
Communications
Developed over the course of 2025, included in the Fall 2025 Technical Adjustment Ordinance (TAO) – a mid-year City budget change – and scheduled to take effect January 2, 2026.
Community engagement
Realignment is being developed separately. Staff listening sessions are scheduled for November 18 and 20.
Equity
Realignment is being developed separately. A contractor has been hired; detailed information for staff is still limited.
Budget/finance, HR, procurement, and technology
These four areas are being realigned together. A contractor has been hired, and workgroups made up primarily of management met through September. CPPW is pushing for meaningful involvement of impacted workers and union reps as this moves forward.
Some additional details are on the City employee website under the Core Services Realignment Project (internal City employee site).
Contact
If you have questions, concerns, ideas, or information about how realignment is playing out in your bureau or workgroup, please reach out:
- Stacy Brewster (PBOT), At-Large Board Member – board1@cppwunion.org
- Kari Koch (PP&D), President – president@cppwunion.org
Our letter to City leadership
On October 29, 2025, CPPW’s Executive Board sent a letter to the mayor, City Council, auditor, and the City administrators overseeing each of the seven core service areas (budget/finance, communications, community engagement, equity, HR, procurement, and technology).
The letter lays out critical guidance for how this realignment should be done: with transparency, worker input, and respect for the people doing the work.
The letter was also filed as testimony for the Fall 2025 Technical Adjustment Ordinance (TAO).