los Angeles â May 15, 2024 â Tens of thousands of workers in Los Angeles County have initiated a two-day strike, a result of an unsuccessful contract negotiations, impacting essential services. The
strike, involving approximately 55,000 members of SEIU Local 721, began Monday evening, leading to closures and delays. Union members cite the County’s failure to negotiate a fair new contract as the core issue,and further details are currently unfolding.
Los Angeles County Workers strike Over contract Dispute
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Tens of thousands of Los Angeles County workers initiated a two-day strike, citing the county’s failure to negotiate a fair new contract.The strike, wich began Monday evening, involves approximately 55,000 members of SEIU Local 721, marking the frist instance in county history where all union members have participated in a strike.
Strike Impact and Union Response
The strike has led to the closure of libraries,non-urgent health clinics,and parks. Public service counters are experiencing delays, and wildfire debris clearance may be temporarily halted. On Tuesday, a large rally was held in downtown Los Angeles, where union members voiced their grievances.
according to Mike Long, a union spokesperson, 14 members were arrested for refusing to disperse after the rally, a deliberate tactic to emphasize the gravity of the situation.
Union’s Grievances and County’s Response
Union leaders attribute the strike to alleged labor law violations by the county, including retaliation and the contracting of jobs that should be filled by union workers. Union members also expressed dissatisfaction with initial contract offers.
Does anyone remember what they tried to give us in the fall? Zeroes,said union head David Green at the downtown rally.do we deserve zeros?
L.A.County Chief Executive Fesia Davenport acknowledged that county officials have moved off
a zero raise offer but cautioned against unsustainable financial commitments.
We don’t want to negotiate ourselves into a structural deficit,Davenport said.We want to hold the line.Fesia Davenport, L.A. County Chief Executive
Davenport suggested that excessive raises could lead to future position cuts, similar to proposals made by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who suggested 1,650 layoffs to address a nearly $1-billion deficit.
The county is now offering SEIU Local 721 members a $5,000 bonus in the first year of the contract, along with a cost-of-living adjustment and an additional bonus.
According to Davenport’s office, The County is offering what we beleive is a fair three-year compensation package, considering the tremendous budgetary pressures we face.
Negotiation delays and Contract Worker Concerns
steve koffroth, SEIU’s chief contract negotiator, stated that the county delayed responding to the union’s initial contract proposal, which was submitted before Christmas.He criticized the county’s counteroffer as a pittance.
The county initially cited wildfire costs, a sex abuse settlement, and the loss of federal grants as reasons for not being able to afford raises.Though, union members argue that the county has overspent on outside contract workers rather of filling existing vacancies.
Union members point to a study that indicates the county has spent billions on private firms, creating a taxpayer-to-private-sector-pipeline.
The county has dismissed this report as misleading.
The reliance on contractors is particularly evident in healthcare, where vacancies are often filled by highly paid contract workers.
How would you feel if someone comes into your hospital for three weeks and makes four times your salary and leaves you,said Theresa Velasco, a member of the union’s executive board.Theresa Velasco, SEIU Executive Board Member
FAQ Section
- Why are Los Angeles County workers on strike?
- They are striking due to a failure to reach a fair contract agreement with the county.
- What services are affected by the strike?
- Libraries, non-urgent health clinics, parks, and public service counters are affected.
- what is the county’s response to the strike?
- The county claims to be offering a fair compensation package given budgetary constraints.
