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Coalition and LA City Council Make Joint Pledge to Continue Working to Protect City Services

LA’s City Council Wednesday committed 13-0 to continue working with SEIU and the Coalition of LA City Unions toward a budget solution that will prevent slashed services through the layoffs and furloughs recommended by the Mayor’s new CAO Miguel Santana. 
The outlines of a solution could come as early as Friday.
Council President Eric Garcetti and the Coalition of LA City Unions released a joint statement:
After working around the clock in a marathon session of the Los Angeles City Council, which was recessed overnight to continue discussions with the Coalition of LA City Unions, significant common ground was reached to protect City services and to save jobs.
While no agreement has been reached as of now, both sides are optimistic that together solutions can be found.
“We are very grateful to the City Council for providing the leadership that this City needs to move forward,” said Cheryl Parisi, Chair of the Coalition of LA City Unions. “Today’s progress shows the power of working together as unions, and the importance of working in collaboration with our City leaders. We will continue to work around the clock over the next several days to finalize an agreement that keeps City services whole while keeping employees working.”
“We’ve worked around the clock to develop solutions to meet our budget gap while giving us the flexibility necessary in these tough economic times,” said L.A. City Council President Eric Garcetti.  “I want to acknowledge the Coalition Union leaders for their commitment to keeping this dialogue open and quickly moving towards a fiscally responsible agreement that will also save jobs and critical city services.”
In addition, both sides agreed to move forward with contingency plans in the event that agreement cannot be reached.  However, both sides remain optimistic that a resolution can be reached before those plans will need to be implemented.
Download the statement.

Do Not Be Alarmed by Exaggerated Reports of Layoffs and Furloughs
Council voted Wednesday to move forward on two paths:
  1. The early retirement ordinance will go to the EERC tomorrow at 1pm, and to a final vote of the full Council “likely Friday” at 10am, according to Council President Garcetti.
  2. Contingency plans for layoffs and furloughs will continue in case the Coalition and Council do not come to a better solution.
Layoffs and furloughs cannot be implemented without another vote of Council.
If you have any questions, call the Member Resource Center at (877) 721-4YOU [4968], your Steward or your Worksite Organizer.


Return to Council

Friday September 18, 2009
9:30 am for 10 am Session



Timeline


September 17, 2009 Thursday – EERC Considers ERIP ordinance
September 18, 2009 Friday – ERIP ordinance returns to full Council
September 27, 2009 – The first day that furloughs could occur
The Coalition and Council are working round the clock to protect services.


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