Student Workers: On the Road to Equality
L.A. County employs nearly 1300 student temporary workers, many doing exactly the same work as permanent employees. They work closely with permanent Los Angeles County employees, in virtually every County department. Yet, student workers receive just $8.80 to $12 an hour with no health insurance, retirement benefits or paid time off. Recently, they gained a voice at work by forming their union with SEIU Local 721. With their bargaining team now formed, student workers are working together to win a strong contract.
Together, the bargaining team have developed a list of
top issues that they are concerned with - their bargaining priorities -
which follows.
Path to permanency:
Student workers want a career ladder or a clear process in order to
reach permanent positions, which means access to better pay, benefits,
and union protection.
Training & Development:
With job certification and training through County-managed training programs, student workers have better chances at promoting.
Health Benefits: medical dental, orthodontist, and vision.
Time off on the Books:
Paid holidays, jury duty, sick time, vacation time, bereavement, County
tests on County time. Currently student workers do not have any time on
the books other than special paid leave which is only three days out of
the year.
Performance Evaluations: If
applying for a County position, a performance evaluation counts toward
your placement in a band. Currently, student workers do not receive
performance evaluations.
Bonus points for Band placement: Work
and experience as student workers should count in determining band
placement which determines the order in which applicants are preferred.
Health & Safety:
Student workers want contract language that protect them from having to
work in unhealthy environments and working dangerous duties.
Special pay practices: Student workers would like a bonus for completing certain degrees and courses that correspond to our job duties.
Parking Reimbursement:
Currently, permanent workers receive reimbursement for parking in the
Los Angeles city Civic Center. Considering student workers’ low wages
parking expenses takes a big portion of their pay. | | Bargaining Team
Suzan Pour-Sanae
Chief Negotiator
Alisa Nadjaryan,
District Attorney
Lourdes Moralez,
Department of Probation
Keesha L Reed,
Department of Health Services
Andres Pinedo,
Department of Public Health
Qweva P. Welch,
District Attorney
Elizabeth Mora,
Department of Public Health
Tatiana Campos,
District Attorney
Valencia Boyd,
District Attorney
Student Workers, permanent employees, community members and anyone else who is interested to get involved in the campaign should contact Suzan Pour-Sanae at 213-368-8607 or email Suzan.Pour-Sanae@seiu721.org. Fax: 213-380-8335
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