by

Todd R. Hansen

Daily Republic

June 8, 2025

FAIRFIELD — Mayor Catherine Moy has found herself in the middle of another controversy after she was overheard at a recent council meeting telling City Manager David Gassaway "these people better stop or she'll go down there and whoop their ass."

The "hot mic" comment followed employees speaking out against a contract proposal by the city that offers no cost of living increase, increases employee share of medical insurance from 5% to 20% and eliminates a paid holiday.

"We know that's a non-starter ... Did you expect (it) actually to be (that way), or let's just start the conversation here and see where it goes?" Elizabeth Harrison, regional vice president for SEIU 1021, told the council.  

"But we are talking about balancing a budget on the backs of the lowest paid workers that you have in the city. There has to be someplace else you can balance the budget."

A number of employees who spoke on June 3 said they are only looking for what is fair, and for the city to show it values their work. One person said the ask was for 10% over two years, though it was not immediately clear if that was 10% each year or 10% combined.

The comments also noted that with inflation, the paychecks were not going as far as they used to, and to take what they labeled the city's offer as a "pay cut" that situation would only get worse.

Moy's comment was made under her breath as those employees were leaving the council chamber.

In a social media post, Moy owned up to what she said, and even doubled-down.

"First, I absolutely said this. I always have an open mike," Moy said in her post.  

"I’ll say this: Our city has a $10 million structural deficit. I won’t bankrupt our city. My record shows that I have 100 percent supported labor. In fact, I’m the ONLY Fairfield elected to do so," the post stated.

"I highly suggest that folks don’t bully council members. They are mostly volunteer. I told two labor groups ... I’ll talk with them. As for bullying me with lies and distortions – I’m not that girl!! I will ALWAYS think of the tax paying citizens, those who really have no voices. Our staff already know that I’ve always had their backs," the post stated.

"Play stupid games, win stupid prizes," Moy stated.

The post also suggested that the mayor believed she was protecting Gassaway, who she stated in her post had taken some "hard jabs" by the employees.  

Those "jabs" did not take place at the council meeting. The only reference to the city manager is when James Fry, an instrument technician at the city water plant, asked if Gassaway still believes what he said in 2023, purportedly that "cutting employee pay does not save money in the long run."

While no cost of living increase would mean the paychecks will not buy as much against the current inflation rate, it is not a cut in pay. Technically, increasing the share of health benefits paid by employees will mean less money in the home budget, too, but it is not a pay cut, either.

However, for workers seeing their take-home pay shrinking, the semantics of what is actually a pay cut has no practical meaning.

A number of responses have followed Moy's retaliatory comment, including that "elected officials should be held to a higher standard."  

And while Moy's comment about "mostly volunteer" council members was clearly a reference to what the mayor considers minimal pay and all the additional responsibilities that come without extra pay, more than a few responders noted that the only volunteering going on is choosing to run for office, and that the mayor gets paid $1,560 per month, and the other council members receive $1,300.

Raises took effect in December 2022, moving the salaries from $600 and $500, respectively.

Fairfield mayor caught threatening SEIU 1021 members after public comments

by

SEIU 1021 article

June 9, 2025

At a recent Fairfield City Council meeting, SEIU 1021 members gave calm public testimony calling for management to bargain in good faith.

As they exited the chambers, Mayor Catherine Moy was caught on a hot mic saying, “Those people better stop or I’m gonna go out there and whoop their a*.”*

Watch the KRON 4 coverage here.

When questioned later, Mayor Moy refused to back down from her statement and even defended it on social media, describing the workers’ comments as “insulting” and claiming she had only meant it “in jest.” 

This is no joke.

These are our people who maintain our parks, streets, public buildings, and critical infrastructure — the very systems that keep Fairfield functioning. They are public servants who showed up at city council to be heard. Instead of being listened to respectfully, they were threatened.

Mayor Moy’s reaction isn’t just disrespectful — it’s a threat. Workers should never fear retribution for speaking their truth. That’s democracy. That’s safety. That’s dignity.

Join us Tuesday, June 18, to stand in solidarity with city workers and insist on respectful, fair treatment at the bargaining table.

Rally Details:

• When: Tuesday, June 18, 12 p.m.
• Where: 1000 Webster st, City of Fairfield
• RSVP here

Fairfield works because SEIU 1021 members do.