L.A. City Workers Say No to Furloughs

Los Angeles is facing a $400-million deficit, and politicians have threatened furloughs and layoffs.  LA City workers are fighting them on every front, while working for better services for Angelenos.

Mandatory Furloughs, as a change in working conditions and pay, are a serious step that must be bargained with union representatives. However, the City is pushing for the ability to impose mandatory furloughs simply by renaming them "temporary layoffs."

We are taking the threat seriously. This ridiculous attack that has no legal basis, and furloughs would disrupt critical services, hurt workers, and provide only one-time savings to the budget. Members have been speaking out at the Civil Service Commission and City Hall, letting everyone know that a decline in revenues is no excuse for taking away workers’ rights.

Pushing for Real Budget Solutions

City workers continue to press for budget solutions that support City services and those who deliver them. Members of the Coalition of LA City Unions have raised a ruckus in City Hall budget hearings and pounded on the doors of City leaders.

The Coalition delivered City leaders dozens of ideas collected from workers on the front lines of municipal services. We also proposed an early retirement program that would allow long-time workers to look to their future now, rather than laying off newer workers.

What You Can Do

The City Council hearings wrapped up May 9, and now the budget goes back for another round of revisions. The deadline for the final budget is June 1.

Please continue to submit your ideas for saving money, increasing revenue, and providing services more efficiently. We also ask all the experts on the front lines to review your area of the budget and send in your evaluation. You can submit your ideas at www.SaveCityServices.com or email your ideas. The budget is available at www.lacity.org/mayor/budget.