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One day after the largest march in SEIU 721’s history, thousands of LA County members continued picketing outside more than 40 worksites on the final day of our historic Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) strike.
Though members picketed continuously at County worksites starting at 7 p.m. Monday — with some rallying overnight at certain facilities — the lines were still lively Wednesday, with workers marching with picket signs, making noise with thunder sticks and bells, and continuing their chants for a fair contract and an end to management’s lawbreaking.
“We’re pissed off,” said David Green, SEIU 721’s Executive Director and President, who has worked as an LA County Children’s Social Worker for more than two decades. “LA County management keeps breaking the law, and we’ve had enough. They’ve stalled contract negotiations for months, and they’ve committed dozens of labor law violations to date. Clearly, they thought they were above the law. They thought we’d never strike. They thought wrong.”
The indignation was evident. Members on the lines yelled out that they wanted a fair contract and an end to union busting and law breaking. “And if we don’t get it?” chant leaders’ asked. “Shut it down!” members shouted back.
But the pickets were also sites for expressions of joy, fun, and solidarity. Some workers broke out spontaneously into dance (one member at LA General Medical Center Wednesday held a sign that said, “Teach Me How to Dance.” Many of his coworkers obliged). Others introduced their children, spouses, and dogs to colleagues on the line. Members of other unions joined in support and took selfies and photos that they posted on social media.
Many County workers brought homemade signs to the pickets Wednesday. One included an illustration of the rapper Kendrick Lamar, grinning. “Say LA County…I Heard You Actin’ Dumb,” the sign read.
At a Starbucks near one picket line, baristas posted a notice telling customers they may need to repeat themselves when ordering. Too many drivers were honking in support of the County members’ rally nearby.
A MASSIVE VICTORY
Our ULP strike marked the first time that all LA County members — 55,000 strong, who are health care professionals, social workers, parks and recreation staff, public works personnel, clerical workers, custodians, beaches and harbors staff, and many more — walked off the job together.
From Monday to Wednesday, our County members rallied in protest of 44 ULP charges that we’ve filed this contract bargaining cycle against management — including for refusing to bargain in good faith, restricting organizers’ access to worksites, retaliation against members for labor activity, contracting out our positions, and more.
President Green had this to say as the strike wrapped up: “Our ULP strike was a massive victory. We sent a message to the board of supervisors. You will not disrespect us without a fight. You will not violate labor law without a fight. You will come correct to the bargaining table and respect us as the workers who keep this County running.”
Wednesday’s pickets came on the heels of a rally and march on Tuesday of more than 10,000 SEIU 721 County members, the largest march in our union’s history. The march and pickets generated more than 1,500[MOU1] media hits from Monday to Wednesday, reaching tens of millions.
Green added: “The County cannot hide. People in LA and people across the country know our managers have violated labor law and have bargained in bad faith. They must stop this behavior unless they want to be known forever as union busters who hold working class people in contempt. They should view this as a warning. They don’t want to see us taking action again.”
WHAT’S NEXT?
Bargaining is still underway with LA County management, and our elected Bargaining Policy Committee is making significant headway at the table thanks to our unprecedented show of union power. We remain laser focused on our key priorities:
- Wage increases that keep up with the skyrocketing cost of housing
- Increases to medical and dental contributions
- An end to LA County’s rampant contracting out of SEIU 721-represented positions
- Ending short-staffing by filling the County’s more than 12,000 vacancies
Our strike ends at 6:59pm today, so if your shift begins at 7:00pm or after, please return to work for your regular shift.
When we fight, we win!