LOS ANGELES, CA - Dozens of “temp workers” employed by Los Angeles County and the Los Angeles Unified School District will hold a town hall meeting 6 p.m., Wednesday, April 18, at SEIU Local 721, 500 S. Virgil Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90020

In Los Angeles thousands of temp workers work in virtually every department of government, many doing exactly the same work as permanent employees but paid about $16,000 a year for full-time work.

 “People are surprised when they find out I’m a student worker,” said Maria Camacho, a three-year student worker who works 40 hours per week in human resources at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. “I’ve taken on a lot of the same responsibilities as permanent employees.”

A new survey of California temp workers reveals that temporary workers are disproportionately women (75%) and people of color (76%). One third have been “temporary” for 5 years or longer and 57% have no health insurance.

In addition, temp workers throughout California will announce their support of the “Temp Worker Bill of Rights” which includes eight principles related to temp abuse that workers will be fighting to implement throughout the state. They will also announce their support of AB 1496, which will be introduced Wednesday morning, that would clarify the use of temporary workers in general law cities and counties and close loopholes that enable governing boards of cities and counties to hire workers for jobs that would otherwise be performed by permanent employees.