Los Angeles has California’s busiest courts. They handle the toughest cases, and they have the biggest caseloads. They also have the biggest deficit — about $130 million in the governor’s latest budget.
More than 100 court employees packed the lobby of the Administrative Office of the Courts in Burbank to pressure them to keep courts open.
“We do not operate in a vacuum. There are too many lives connected to the courts,” said Venessa Gills, Court Services Assistant II at the Santa Monica Courthouse.
Click here to see photos from the AOC action.
LA Superior Court announced last month it would close one day a month starting in July. But SEIU 721 members have urged the courts to delay a $1.9 billion computer system and open their books to find more savings. More than 3,500 court employees signed a petition that members delivered today.
“Without us kids are going hungry, while Mom’s trying to make the little bit she has work,” said Kimberly Jones, CSA III at Central Civil West who processes child support orders.
“We believe that in the long run it’s going to cost the public a lot more to close courts than they believe they’re going to save,” said Court Reporter Rose Nava.
SEIU members were blocked from entering, but a Court representative took the petitions, which were wrapped up in a bow.