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Tens of thousands of Los Angeles County employees began a strike Monday evening, alleging their employer had failed to adequately compensate them or negotiate with the union.
Service Employees International Union Local 721, which represents the striking workers, said in a press release that L.A. County had engaged in at least 44 labor law violations, including retaliation against the union for protected activity.
The Union also claims the County refused to bargain in good faith about health insurance and cost-of-living related increases to pay. One SEIU leader said during a rally the county had offered a 0% bump — a statement which the L.A. County Chief Executive’s Office denied.
“This is the workforce that got LA County through emergency after emergency: the January wildfires, public health emergencies, mental health emergencies, social service emergencies and more,” said SEIU 721 President David Green.
“From the San Fernando Valley to the San Gabriel Valley, from the foothills to the beaches, all across LA County, we get the job done. That’s why we have had it with the labor law violations and demand respect for our workers.”
The L.A. County Board of Supervisors maintains it cannot afford the pay increases that the union demands. It cites the impact of the recent fires, as well as the loss of funding from the federal government, as contributing factors.
“The County is facing unprecedented stresses on our budget, including a tentative $4 billion settlement of thousands of childhood sexual assault claims brought under AB 218, a projected $2 billion in impacts related to the January wildfires and recovery, and the potentially catastrophic loss of hundreds of millions or more in federal funding,” the Chief Executive’s Office said in a statement.
“We are working hard to make sure our labor partners understand the financial reality of our situation. Despite the severity of our fiscal outlook, the County has made fair and responsible counter proposals that we hope the union will seriously consider.”
The strikers work in a wide swathe of government services, including healthcare, public health, social work, parks, and transportation.
The County maintains an online listing of disruptions to its activities. Residents should currently expect delays when dealing with Animal Care & Control, the Assessor, the Auditor-Controller, Beaches & Harbors, Economic Opportunity, the L.A. County Library, the Medical Examiner, the Treasurer, Public Works, and Public health, as well as at some non-urgent clinics.
