Coliseum Manager Files 1,600-Worker WARN Notice as Lee Wins Oakland

Major venue transitions, charter reforms, infrastructure bonds, and neighborhood arts initiatives shaped the East Bay civic landscape on Thursday across Oakland, Berkeley, and Alameda.

Legends Global Files WARN Notice for 1,600+ Oakland Arena and Coliseum Workers

Venue operator Legends Global, which has managed the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum complex since 2012, filed a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) notice covering more than 1,600 employees scheduled to take effect by the end of 2026. The filing itemizes 981 stagehands, 209 guest services representatives, 149 food, beverage, and hospitality staff, 117 security guards, 67 janitors, 45 administrative personnel, and 18 stationary engineers and wardrobe dressers.

The notice stems from the sale of the Coliseum complex to the African American Sports and Entertainment Group (AASEG) and the transition of Oakland Arena management to Oak View Group. Oakland Acquisition Co. spokesperson Ray Bobbitt emphasized that the WARN notice is a statutory formality required during an operator change and that Oak View Group intends to retain unionized workers who reapply under the new management contract.

Mayor Barbara Lee Wins Full Term as Voters Approve Measure EE Charter Reform

At Oakland City Hall, Mayor Barbara Lee won re-election to a full four-year term while Oakland voters approved Measure EE, a charter amendment strengthening the mayor's executive authority over the city administrator and municipal departments. While Oakland residents such as voter Hydra Menzoa praised the measure for establishing clearer executive accountability, four City Councilmembers—including Councilmember Janani Ramachandran—had voted against placing the proposal on the ballot, warning it could concentrate power in the mayor's office.

Meanwhile, in federal court, former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao's corruption and bribery trial resumed Thursday with star government witness Mario Juarez, co-founder of Evolutionary Homes, returning to the witness stand. Prosecutors have centered testimony on alleged payments involving California Waste Solutions executives David Duong and Andy Duong, including a $300,000 modular housing purchase request for 100 units routed through Thao's partner Andre Jones, a $75,000 check delivered during the campaign, and $95,000 paid out of a promised $3 million mail-campaign arrangement.

Berkeley Voters Back $300M Measure U Bond as Alameda Launches Holiday Events and Tree Planting

North of Oakland, Berkeley voters are poised to pass Measure U with roughly 70% support, surpassing the two-thirds supermajority threshold required for local bond measures. The $300 million infrastructure bond will generate more than $15 million annually over 40 years to repave streets, upgrade storm drains, and repair civic facilities, financed by a property tax levy of $22 per $100,000 of assessed valuation.

On Alameda Island, 5 holiday arts and gift markets kick off this weekend:

• Mini Masterpieces Holiday Gifts Show Reception presented by Art Jam at Rhythmix Cultural Works (2513 Blanding Ave.) on Friday, Nov. 6, and Friday, Dec. 4, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., with gallery hours on Wednesdays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. through Dec. 30.
• ALAMEDUH Zine Issue 2 Release Party at Faction Brewing (2501 Monarch St.) on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., featuring more than 20 local vendors.
• Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter (FAAS) 13th Annual Jewelry & More Sale at South Shore Center Suite 2242 on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., offering more than 2,000 items with a $15 early-bird entry option.
• Crafting Through the Decades: The 1950s workshop at Alameda Gallery & Collective (1451 Webster St.) on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. ($30 registration, open to ages 16 and older).
• 46th Annual Alameda Holiday Boutique at the O'Club (641 W. Redline Ave.) on Saturday, Nov. 7, and Sunday, Nov. 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., showcasing more than 70 artisan vendors.

Looking ahead to next weekend, 100K Trees for Humanity, the Rotary Club of Alameda, and the Alameda Recreation and Parks Department (ARPD) will host a community tree planting of 60 trees at Mainstreet Linear Park on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to noon, as reported by Joyce Mercado.