LA County Workers Strike: 55,000 Employees Picket for Fair Contract

LA County Strike Overview

• ⚡ Over 55,000 LA County union workers began a 48-hour strike on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, demanding a fair contract.
• 📌 The strike, which started at 7:00 PM the previous night and is set to conclude tomorrow night, is impacting services such as libraries and some health care clinics.

Reasons for the Strike

• ⚖️ SEIU 7.21 representative Rain Been Meza stated that LA County has been violating labor law since contract negotiations began in October.
• ⏳ Negotiations reportedly only became serious five days before the contract expired, which union members found unconscionable.
• 🔍 Specific violations cited include the county's failure to provide required information for bargaining, surveillance and intimidation of union activists, and refusal to negotiate on contracting out public services.

Affected Workforce and Demands

• 🏥 The striking workforce includes a wide range of essential personnel such as nurses, respiratory technicians, librarians, park and beach staff, clerical staff, social workers, and eligibility workers.
• 💰 Union members are seeking a serious proposal that recognizes the work of their workforce, particularly in light of financial challenges and the county's spending on contracting out public services.
• 📊 Despite the county citing financial crises, including wildfires, they have not reduced spending on contracting out public services, a point of contention for the union.