Small number

Can't imagine why that would be the case.

The Service Employees International Union, whose members include a small number of city employees, also says it supports the (Civil Service reform) proposal

If you insist on functioning as a management tool rather than representing your members' interests, don't expect to retain many members. On the other hand, if the only reason you keep a toe in the door at City Hall is to network with the political players there, then, yeah, great job. You're making lots of friends.