Wave Wire Services
LOS ANGELES — With new contract talks on the horizon, hundreds of unionized Los Angeles County workers descended on the county Hall of Administration Sept. 24, threatening that as many as 55,000 employees could soon walk off the job in response to what they call violations of their existing contract.
“We demand respect as county employees,” Simboa Wright, vice president of Service Employees International Union Local 721 told City News Service as union members began gathering in downtown Los Angeles ahead of the Board of Supervisors meeting. “We have found multiple unfair labor practices.”
The show of force came as negotiations were set between the union and the county on a new labor contract.
“Los Angeles County looks forward to robust and productive bargaining sessions with our labor partners, while continuing to highlight the significant fiscal challenges and heavy demands on public resources that lie ahead,” said a statement issued by the county in response to the union’s action. “The county is not yet at the bargaining table with SEIU 721, and we are disappointed that labor has chosen to preemptively and unnecessarily engage in heated rhetoric, including unfounded accusations and threats of an unwarranted strike that would put our most vulnerable county residents at risk.”
Union officials said as many as 1,500 of its members who work for the county were planning to attend this week’s board meeting in a show of strength. Union officials said its members have overwhelmingly voted in favor of authorizing a strike if its demands aren’t met, and a walkout could begin as early as Oct. 10.
SEIU Local 721 represents a wide array of county employees who work at a range of sites including medical facilities, street services, social services and parks and recreation. According to the union, if it follows through on the threat to strike, it would “include almost all of the L.A. County workforce and impact most services within the county’s 4,751 square mile service area.”
According to a statement from the union, the county has failed to adhere to various provisions of its 2022 contract, “including items related to discipline and union rights at work.” Union officials also allege the county has been hiring outside contractors for work that should be done by union members, while also accusing the county of “illegal surveillance” and “retaliation” against workers engaged in union activity.
In their statement, county officials said, “Contrary to the union’s assertions, the county has been working productively with our union partners for years to provide our valued workforce with substantial and competitive wages and benefits — and we will continue to do so. We are open to hearing the union’s proposals and will continue to approach this process professionally and in good faith.”
The Board of Supervisors was scheduled to meet in closed session Sept. 24 with the SEIU labor talks on the agenda. No information on those discussions were released,
