55,000 County Workers Begin Voting on Actions, Possibly a Strike
LOS ANGELES- More than 55,000 LA County workers—nurses, librarians, social workers, clerical staff, probation workers, lifeguards, park rangers and many others— are voting to back their union’s bargaining team with more actions—including possibly a strike.
Initial internal phone banking by SEIU Local 721 indicates that 93% of members support authorizing a strike.
The County employees, who are members of SEIU 721, have been bargaining for a new “common good” labor contract with LA County management since June. County management has said “NO” to all of their proposals, which would benefit LA County residents by improving child safety, reducing traffic congestion, raising pay for low-wage workers, closing a corporate tax loophole and agreeing to fair wages for County workers.
Instead, the County is currently proposing that employees accept sharp increases to their healthcare premiums. The increases would result in a pay cut for County workers.
“I don't want to go on strike,” said Oscar Valladares, an LA County Department of Mental Health Worker and SEIU 721 Executive Board Member. “But we’re proud to have developed bargaining proposals that will benefit all LA County residents. For the sake of the people who elected them, the Board of Supervisors should take these proposals seriously.”
What's at Stake?
SEIU 721 members have made innovative proposals that would improve the lives of all LA County residents. So far, the County has rejected all of them, including:
- Raising the Living Wage for low-wage workers who work for private companies that contract with the County.
- Strengthening the green RideShare program to encourage carpooling and public transit use while reducing freeway congestion.
- Closing the loophole that allows corporations to avoid paying property taxes that support services for ordinary citizens.
- Putting child safety first by reducing caseloads for social workers so they can better focus on LA County’s children.
- Fair wage increases for middle-class County workers who haven’t gotten an increase in five years.
SEIU 721 members are voting at more than 120 locations across the County through Oct. 30. Their previous contract expired on Sept. 30.
CONTACT: Ian Thompson, (213) 446-7946 or ian.thompson@seiu721.org
Roshin Mathew, (213) 309-0314 or roshin.mathew@seiu721.org
