Duarte
The City’s budget is balanced for this fiscal year. City officials notified members of the budget’s sound status at a Feb. 17 meeting.
South Gate
The City is reporting a deficit of more than $2 million for the remainder of this fiscal year.
The coalition of unions, including the Police Officers Association (POA), Police mid-management, division managers and both the Municipal Employees Association (MEA) and Professional and Mid-Management Association (PMMA), are meeting weekly. Members plan to meet with the City Council to provide revenue-generating options such as raising fees.
“The
coalition of unions in South Gate united instead of working
individually to approach Council with recommendations for revenue
generating ideas and to monitor the City’s spending.” Cynthia Duprey, President, South Gate Mid-Managers
UPDATE: The Coalition met with Mayor Henry Gonzalez and Councilman Bill De Witt. The PMMA President read an SEIU letter to the City Council encouraging the Council to refrain from spending on costly annual events. SEIU 721 is reaching out to the business community for support.
Also, on Feb. 10, maintenance workers gained the right to standby pay to participate in the expansion of sewer services, which includes a new truck, pump and smart manhole covers that alert the City in case of overflow threats.
Monterey Park
Members will enter negotiations with the City Council to find alternate solutions to the 33 layoffs proposed.
UPDATE: At a meeting Feb. 25, the SEIU 721 Monterey Park Chapter Board met with the City’s management team, which included Councilman Frank Venti. An agreement between SEIU 721 members and management is expected in early March.
Workers are taking into consideration the economic downturn as Monterey Park struggles to balance its budget and save services.
LAPD Jail Division
Members are reviewing the City’s proposal to close Harbor Jail. Other possible closures include Wilshire, Southwest, Devonshire and Foothills jails. Staff from these jails will be assigned to three regional jails including Parker Center Jail to accommodate the opening of the city’s newest jail, the Metropolitan Detention Center.
All LAPD members are encouraged to attend City Council meetings. Members met again with LAPD management on Tuesday, March 2, to discuss options for reopening the new jail.
El Monte
On Feb. 16-17, members received a budget presentation by the City’s management team along with the Chapter Board. The City is asking for members to continue with the current furlough schedule, which will expire in late February 2010. The City proposes continuing furloughs from March 1 to June 30.
UPDATE: Members voted on Feb. 24, with a majority, 65%, of members voting to extend furloughs to late June 2010. there was another meeting to discuss the creation of the Sewer Division is scheduled on Wednesday, March 3.