LA County Workers Rally During Two-Day Strike Over Contract Negotiations

LA County Workers Strike

• ✊ Over 55,000 LA County workers, represented by the Service Employees International Union Local 721, have begun a two-day strike.
• 🗓️ The strike, which began Tuesday evening and will conclude Wednesday at 7 p.m., was called due to failed negotiations for a new 3 and a half-year contract.
• 📢 A large rally is underway in downtown LA, with thousands of workers gathering before a planned march.

Union Accusations Against County

• ⚖️ The union accuses LA County of over 44 labor law violations during negotiations, including refusing to bargain in good faith.
• 📄 Specific accusations include withholding legally required bargaining information, surveilling and intimidating union members, and refusing to negotiate on contracted-out public services.
• 💰 The county's budget for contracted-out services has reportedly increased from $6.2 billion to $7.7 billion, while the county has 12,000 job vacancies.

Potential Public Service Disruptions

• ⚠️ The strike is expected to disrupt or delay various public services.
• 📚 Potential impacts include temporary library closures, delays in fire debris and homeless encampment cleanups, and the closure of several non-urgent healthcare clinics.
• 📍 Picket lines are anticipated at over 30 locations across the county.