More than 50,000 SEIU Local 721 members who work for LA County are gearing up for contract negotiations. These members haven’t had raises in four years—some of them even longer.

And when the economic downturn hit the County, our members stepped up and took on extra duties and worked harder than ever to keep the County running and deliver services to the 50,000 people who live here.

But things are different now. Thanks to our members’ hard work in getting Prop 30 passed, the County is back on solid financial footing. “You’re not going to see the cuts and you’re not going to see a deficit like you’ve seen in the last several years,” a County spokesman said recently.

So now it’s time to Turn It Up. As good as our bargaining team is, this fight will be won in the field. On April 16, we expect thousands of members to turn out for a rally at the Board of Supervisors, where we’ll tell the Supervisors that we deserve raises.

And last week I attended an LA County Bargaining Team meeting, where members received training on how to approach the negotiating table. Looking around the room and seeing the passion our members brought to the meeting, I thought to myself, this has got to be one of the best Bargaining Teams we’ve ever assembled.

I’m looking forward to the rally and to bargaining.

Sincerely,
Bob Schoonover
SEIU 721 President and LA City
Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanic