Like many cities, Inglewood has suffered in the economic crisis, losing businesses, homes to foreclosure and tax revenue. But Inglewood employees are fighting for to keep our city working.
After settling a contract that included bonuses and COLA increase for Inglewood employees, we said no last year when the City wanted us to reopen our contract. Instead, we held meetings with members, conducted surveys and challenged the City to find the money elsewhere through cost-savings and creative solutions.
We went to City Hall in October to stop cuts to our permanent part-timers, and we stopped a layoff of one of our members in December 2009 when we found funding for the position.
“We’ve all been following what’s happening in the City of Los Angeles. The situation in Inglewood is a bit different. Yes, we do have a deficit, but we are currently operating on very unstable conditions. We lost some key players in our City’s operation: Our financial manager abruptly retired, and our mayor resigned.
Where does that leave us? Feelings of uncertainties and fear are evident among the workforce. Our workers, as well as the residents of Inglewood deserve better. We want to see more transparency and accountability in our leadership and operation. We’re working to make sure the new mayor has our city’s best interests at heart including its workers and its residents.”
– Talai Smith, Senior Administrative Aide for the City of Inglewood and SEIU 721 Chapter President
Important upcoming issues are:
• Expecting the City’s mid-year financial analysis in March
• Preserving benefits, especially for retirees
• Electing a new Mayor of Inglewood who will support city services