A Picture (in the LA Times) is Worth a Thousand Words
While supporting LA City services at a council meeting, SEIU 721 member Henry Barron is captured in a photo published in the Los Angeles Times. 
By Henry Barron
Traffic Painter/Sign Poster
Los Angeles Department of Transportation
This morning, I had the biggest surprise.
The LA Times published a photo of my co-worker Max Marrufo and I as we stood up to the LA City Council yesterday to fight for alternative solutions that can bridge the City's $300 million deficit.
Workers like me and Max said "no" to slashing an additional 10 percent in city services we provide, like striping streets and posting stop signs that contribute to public safety.
We came to support our union brothers and sisters and urge the LA City Council to lease nine parking garages to a private company, an agreement that would generate $53 million for our parks, libraries, streets and neighborhoods.
We pushed the council to make the right decision.
They voted to move ahead with the plan to help rescue revenues for public services. As a husband and father of four children, I worry about providing for my family. We're dealing with the stress of maintaining our home and morale at work is suffering.
We know everyone is struggling right now and that's why I am urging the council to solve this deficit through the parking garage agreement and seeking out millions of uncollected debt and fees.
My picture in the LA Times gives me hope that residents and city leaders are looking and listening to the ideas and solutions of city workers as we face this tough budget crisis.
Read the LA Times' coverage of the LA City Council meeting.
BRAVO COMPANEROS, i AM PROUD TO SEE SOME MANY OF YOU STANDING UP TO CITY HALL FOR THE BENEFITS OF SO MANY OF US. A BIG THANK YOU! I REGRET NOT BEING ABLE TO BE THERE, BECAUSE I WAS ATTENDING A GRIEVANCE ON MY JOB, BUT I AN SATISFIED WITH THE FACT THAT WE HAVE MEMBER LIKE YOU, YOUR CO-WORKER AND ME TO CONTINUE WITH THE STRUGGLE OF ALL WORKER, NOT ONLY HERE IN SO.CALI, BUT ALL OVER THE U.S. AGAIN, THANK YU AND KEEP UP THE GOOD FIGHT.
I' AM A GARDENER WITH REC AND PARKS I WOU;D LIKE TO
ASK SOMEBODY WITH LOCAL 721 TO TELL THE COUNCIL THAT
THEY SHOULD STOP MAKING GARDENERS WORK ON THE SATURDAY, AND SUNDAY IF THERE IS NO MONEY THEN ALL
GARDENERS SHOULD ONLY WORK MONDAY THUR FRIDAY.
AND LET A SMALL CREW OF PART TIME WORKERS COME IN TO
CLEAN THE RESTROOMS.
ALSO THEY SHOULD STOP THE SUMMER NIGHT LIGHTS
THIS WOULD SAVE THE CITY SOME NEEDED MONEY.
I CAN NOT MAKE IT IF THE CITY CUTS 10 PERCENT OF MY PAY!
hi