Los Angeles County members voted by 94 percent to extend their union contract by one year, with more money for health care.
“We are blessed in the county. We have not had layoffs or furloughs, but if we had not voted yes on our contract extension county employees’ benefits would have been jeopardized.”
C. Renae Walker Jones
Child Support Officer II
CSSD, Division V
“This was important for me because in a bad economy with the county in a deficit, I wanted to know that we could lock in our benefits for another year.”
Carol Maxey-Ware
Intermediate Typist Clerk
Registrar-Recorder
“Because of SEIU’s efforts, Los Angeles County is one of the few counties in Southern California that has not had any layoffs or furloughs.”
Von Hurt
Community Services Analyst
Community and Senior Services
Carol, Renae and Von worked as member organizers to help inform and answer questions about the LA County contract extension. Together with 16 other LA County member organizers, they spoke to thousands of members about the union contract and the economic state of the county.
In the midst of a tough economy, Los Angeles County employees said yes to a one-year contract extension that includes a 7.2 percent increase in Options contributions for 2012.
The LA County Bargaining Policy Committee (BPC), an elected body comprised of County employees, sought a proactive agreement with the County to provide more money for health insurance, extend peace of mind to SEIU 721 members, and preserve jobs and services. Members talked to hundreds of other County employees about the contract.
Votes were tallied on Nov. 30. Ninety-four percent of County employees voted yes.
Key provisions of the contract extension:
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More money for health insurance.
A hallmark of our contract has been quality health coverage. The contract includes a 7.2% increase in Options contributions for 2012. -
Committee to counter threats to privatize public service. Threats to privatize public service are real. Recently, we have seen it in our libraries. A newly established committee will help us keep services public, not for-profit, and available to all. -
Cap to Horizons Deferred Compensation plan.
We identified an area of cost savings that will help preserve jobs. It includes a temporary cap on County contributions and temporarily reduces the employer match to 2% from the current 4%. In July 2012, the current cap and County match levels would be restored.
The contract now expires Sept. 30, 2012.