With LA City leaders calling for layoffs, pension cuts and privatizing city services, SEIU 721 and the Coalition of LA City Unions have demanded the City move immediately to meet the budget deficit without cutting services. The first step: fully implementing the Better Way for LA agreement that workers approved last year.
SEIU 721 and the Coalition have sent a letter to City Administrative Officer Miguel Santana, Mayor Villaraigosa and the City Council that “demands that the City immediately implement the contract with full force and effect.”
“It’s time for real leadership, not more layoff threats to slash services in our parks, sewers and streets,” said SEIU 721 President Bob Schoonover.
Read the full SEIU 721 and Coalition of LA City Unions letter to leaders (pdf)
SEIU and Coalition attorneys have outlined how the City has failed to meet its obligations under the Better Way for LA Letter of Agreement in a separate letter delivered to the CAO January 25, 2010. “Under no circumstances can the City unilaterally implement layoffs or furloughs of employees represented by Coalition unions in this fiscal year,” the letter states.
Read the full letter from Coalition attorneys to City leaders (pdf)
How We Are Meeting the Crisis
To meet the latest budget crisis head-on, SEIU 721 and the Coalition:
- With other LACERS unions stopped the City from moving forward with a ballot measure to cut pension benefits in the name of false “reforms.”
- Met with the CAO last week to demand full implementation of the millions in savings agreed to by City workers and a halt to plans for layoffs.
- Urged the City to move all ERIP applicants off the payroll within 30 days and expand ERIP eligibility to save over $30 million this fiscal year and even more next fiscal year.
- Called for transfers of City workers from General Fund departments to Proprietary departments instead of layoffs–as the City agreed to in the LOA.
- SEIU 721’s Julie Butcher appeared on a panel on January 21 with Bernard Parks and CAO Miguel Santana calling for city leaders to lead and city management to manage.
- SEIU 721’s Bob Schoonover and others have called for sacrifices from other quarters than City workers, including the contractors who do business with the city. “To this point, the city has not seriously explored cutting payments to private contractors by 10%, an avenue many government entities have used to reduce their deficits,” said Schoonover.
How You Can Get Involved
1. Last year the 721 Budget Crisis Response Team mobilized to respond to the crisis. Click here to join the team and get updates and meeting notices.
2. Take the Mayor’s “Budget Challenge” to speak up for City services at lacity.org. The challenge has been rigged to favor layoffs, pension cuts and privatization. Say no to service cuts in the multiple choice questions and speak up for the alternatives outlined above and any ideas you have to address the City’s budget crisis.
SEIU and Coalition leaders continue to meet with the CAO and other City leaders and will keep members informed.