Members of the union representing thousands of Los Angeles County workers have voted to authorize a strike if labor talks fail to progress, the union announced Friday, May 6.
Service Employees International Union Local 721 represents roughly 55,000 county employees in a range of areas, including health care, social services, mental health services, public works, parks and public safety. The vote does not mean a strike will automatically occur, but authorizes the union to call one if contract negotiations stall.
The union is in the midst of contract talks with the county, saying it is pushing for higher wages, protection against privatization of jobs and improved health benefits. The union’s contract with the county expired at the end of March.
Union President David Green told reporters more talks are scheduled “bright and early Monday morning.”
Strike-authorization votes are standard moves during prolonged labor negotiations, leveraging union influence on the talks. The union has held a series of large-scale rallies in downtown Los Angeles in recent weeks.
The county Board of Supervisors approved a motion this week aimed at ensuring services are not disrupted at county hospitals or care facilities if workers do walk off the job. The motion authorized the director of the Department of Health Services to take steps needed to prevent any interruption in “essential services to some of the county’s most vulnerable residents.”
–
Stinger says
This article seems to have a serious lack of information to be able to make any sort of opinion from. What are the details of the contract negotiations? Are there legitimate issues in consideration? After all, we do have an inflationary period – when was their last contract negotiated?
I will hold off on getting into this one until there is something to work with… I would recommend the same to any rational reader. Naturally, this won’t preclude the RWNJ’s from making utterly inane statements, of course.
Support Unions says
In today’s world the rich get richer because of ignorant, selfish people like you two. Nothing I say or explain will change your ignorant comments or minds. So why try…
Sonya says
What’s wrong with the rich getting richer?
Isn’t that the point, worthless leach.
Tim Scott says
Nothing wrong with it, if they are doing something to make it happen. The broken thing in the system is that the rich get richer JUST by being rich. A silver spooner with no brain in his head and no redeeming qualities to be found will “earn” far more in a year than anyone that does actual work…so who is the “worthless leach”?
Stinger says
How would the ground get richer if you’re leaching from it. like IQ points from your mind on Fox? It certainly would become worthless eventually…
To soya in a box says
Exactly my point…Ignorance at its best. Get back in your soya box.
ACE says
THE SEIU REPRESENTS ALL THE SOCIAL WORKERS NOT DOING THEIR JOBS OF PROTECTING ABUSED LITTLE IDS…
ABOLISH THE SEIU AND THEIR DCFS…
Just saying says
SEIU is a socialist, leftist political organization that would love to see our country turn communist and go down the tubes. Enemies of a free people.
Tim Scott says
I’m going to guess from the way that you use socialist, communist, and leftist pretty much interchangeably and at random that you have no idea what any of those words actually means.
Stinger says
When EVERYBODY is to the left of you, perhaps it is you that has gone too far to the right… Just saying.
FBB says
Public employees shouldn’t be allowed to strike. Ya’ll can quit and get a private sector job
Stinger says
An interesting concept. I am curious as to how well that idea would work in reality.