Major disturbances sweep across Los Angeles County on the initial day of the labor action
Striking Out: Thousands of LA County Workers Down Tools amid Contract Dispute
In a bold move, approximately 55,000 employees of Los Angeles County joined forces in a two-day strike starting on Monday, expressing discontent over what they perceive as an unfair contract negotiation process. The workers, represented by SEIU Local 721, include social workers, nurses, clerical staff, and other public employees. This is the first time in the county's history that all union members have jointed a strike.
The walkout has resulted in several public services disruptions. Libraries, non-urgent health clinics, and parks are currently closed. Public service counters across the county will function slowing. Wildfire debris clearance may also be temporarily halted.
A sea of demonstrators, adorned in the union's signature royal purple t-shirts, flooded the county Hall of Administration in downtown LA on Tuesday for a rally marking the first full day of the strike. Mike Long, a union spokesperson, reported that 14 members were arrested for refusing to disperse during a march following the rally.
Union leaders attribute the strike's initiation to 44 alleged labor law violations committed by the county, which include retaliation, job contracting meant for union workers, and more. Additionally, union members feel insulted by the reported low pay offers from county officials who have stated they cannot afford significant increases due to numerous financial difficulties.
Union head David Green voiced the union's discontentment during the downtown rally, reminding the crowd about the county's initial zero raise proposal in the fall. "Do we deserve zeros?" Green asked, prompting workers to ding purple cowbells in response.
LA County Chief Executive Fesia Davenport admitted that county officials have moved away from the initial zero raise offer but remain cautious about what they can offer to avoid diving into a structural deficit. If the strike continues, positions might need to be cut, similar to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass's proposed 1,650 layoffs to help address the city's nearly $1-billion deficit.
The county currently offers SEIU Local 721 members a $5,000 bonus in the first year of the contract, a cost-of-living adjustment, and an additional bonus. However, union leaders contend that the county’s offer is inadequate compared to the challenges the union faces.
Insights:
- Union-Led Study: In December, a union-led study found that the county spent billions on private firms, creating a 'taxpayer-to-private-sector-pipeline.' Union members believe this reliance on contractors has been particularly apparent in healthcare.
- Wildfire Costs: The county had initially stated that it couldn't afford raises this year due to wildfire costs. Union members allege that the county spent too much money on outside contract workers rather than filling thousands of vacancies.
- Deficit Disparities: Despite facing overlapping economic pressures, Los Angeles County and the city of Los Angeles have distinct drivers for their financial struggles. The city is primarily grappling with operational deficits stemming from payroll obligations and legal liabilities, while the county confronts long-term legal settlements and disaster costs.
- Union members in Los Angeles County, who joined the two-day strike over an unfair contract negotiation process, argue that the county has spent billions on private firms, exacerbating the 'taxpayer-to-private-sector-pipeline' highlighted in a union-led study.
- Union members allege that the county spent too much money on outside contract workers during wildfire times instead of filling thousands of vacancies, one of the reasons they point to when expressing financial difficulties.
- Despite both entities facing significant economic pressures, Los Angeles County and the city of Los Angeles have different drivers for their financial issues. The city primarily deals with operational deficits due to payroll obligations and legal liabilities, while the county grapples with long-term legal settlements and disaster costs.
- If the ongoing strike persists, county officials might need to impose cutbacks similar to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass's proposed 1,650 layoffs to help address the city's nearly $1-billion deficit.
- Healthcare costs have been a point of contention between union members and county officials, with union members contending that the county’s offer for cost-of-living adjustments and bonuses in the contract is inadequate compared to the challenges they face in health services.
