Approximately 55,000 employees of Los Angeles County partake in a work stoppage, causing disruptions in services.
It's a showdown! Over 55,000 Los Angeles County workers, under the banner of SEIU Local 721, downed their tools on Monday night, causing a seismic disruption in public services spanning across healthcare, social work, libraries, and parks.
The union's leader, David Green, declared the two-day strike commenced at 7 PM, attributing it to the county's alleged disregard for fair contract negotiations. In a fiery statement, Green exclaimed, "They thought they were above the law. They thought we'd never strike. They thought wrong!" This marks the first time all union members have simultaneously walked off their jobs.
The strike, lasting until 7 PM on Wednesday, will impact nearly every county department. Libraries and some healthcare clinics will close, although hospitals will continue to operate. Wildfire beach cleanup operations might momentarily cease. Public service counters at the Hall of Administration may be shuttered.
According to the union, the catalyst for the strike is a staggering 44 alleged labor law violations committed by the county, such as retaliation and unjust contracting out of union jobs. The union's contract expired at the end of March.
The union is both livid and disheartened by what they deem an insultingly low salary offer from the county. Initially, the county argued it couldn't grant wage increases due to wildfire costs, a massive sexual abuse settlement, and lost federal grants. However, the county's initial salary proposals, in the union's view, could have cost the county billions.
LA County Chief Executive Fesia Davenport acknowledged that they've migrated away from the zero-raise offer but remain cautious regarding what they can afford. Davenport emphasized, "We don't want to negotiate ourselves into a structural deficit. We want to hold the line."
This standoff comes as other unions have echoed criticisms of the L.A. County Board of Supervisors for their bargaining tactics. Last week, a group of unions representing county first responders publicly pleaded for a pay raise, arguing their efforts during the wildfires hadn't been sufficiently recognized or rewarded at the negotiation table.
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Enrichment Insights:
Underlying Issues
At the heart of this dispute lies a union's call for fair contract negotiations, fair treatment, and respect from Los Angeles County. The union's discontent culminated in a two-day strike, impacting nearly all county departments.
- Labor Law Violations: SEIU Local 721 has accused the county of committing 44 labor law violations, including excessive outsourcing of work meant for union members and retaliation against union workers.
- Unfair Contract Negotiations: The union believes the county has not been bargaining in good faith, contributing to stalled contract negotiations.
- Wage Dispute: The county initially claimed budget constraints, such as wildfire costs and lost federal grants, prevented it from granting wage increases. However, the union views the county's wage proposals as inadequate.
Financial Challenges
Los Angeles County faces daunting financial pressures due to numerous factors, making the current labor dispute even more complicated.
- Budget Constraints: The county is grappling with substantial budget pressures, including a massive settlement for childhood sexual assault claims, wildfire recovery costs, and potential loss of federal funding.
- Union's Demand for Respect: The union emphasizes the need for respect and recognition for workers who have contributed significantly to the county during emergencies.
- Amidst the two-day SEIU Local 721 strike in Los Angeles County, almost every department will experience disruption, with libraries, healthcare clinics, and beach cleanup tasks possibly suspending operations.
- In a statement, the union's leader, David Green, alleged that 44 labor law violations were committed by the county, citing retaliation and unjust contracting out of union jobs as reasons for the action.
- The union's main concern revolves around what they deem as an insultingly low salary offer from the county, with the union members feeling livid and disheartened by the proposal.
- Initially, the county argued that budget constraints, like wildfire costs and lost federal grants, prevented them from granting wage increases, but the union asserts that the county's initial proposals could have cost the county billions.
- This standoff isn't unique, as other unions have levied criticisms against the L.A. County Board of Supervisors for their bargaining tactics, with a group of first responder unions recently arguing for pay raises due to the lack of recognition for their efforts during wildfires.
- The county's Chief Executive Fesia Davenport has acknowledged moving away from the zero-raise offer but is cautious about expenditures, emphasizing the need to "hold the line."
- As the general news unfolds, discussions about policy-and-legislation, politics, and business revolve around the potential impact that this labor dispute, and its underlying issues, will have on California and beyond.
