80 people reviewed research by SEIU with strong recommendations for cutting contracts, renegotiating bank deals and cracking down on deadbeat debtors. They talked about what it will take to implement our strong budget, not the mayor’s plan.
“Going door to door to people’s houses I’ve been blown away by the response. These people do care. I pulled in over 200 signatures supporting city workers. The layoffs won’t be stopped unless we get the ball rolling. I want to do my part.” – Johnny Clark, Reprographics Specialist, GSD
“After my testimony to City Council about why furloughs make things worse, Councilmember Rosendahl immediately pulled me out of the audience. He wants to see this issue resolved as soon as possible and will assist any way he can.” – Transportation Engineer Michael Hunt
What it Will Take to Make It Happen
-
Public action: like our mayor’s mansion red carpet, putting the boot on Prestige Parking, and our “Price is Wrong” contracting action -
Meetings with City Council:
Councilmembers listen to city workers -
Going door to door in Los Angeles neighborhoods talking to concerned residents and business owners -
Visiting parks and recreation centers to let the public know what they could lose -
Talking to Neighborhood Councils about our strong budget
What’s a Strong Budget?
$485 million or more in choices that don’t cut parks, neighborhood services and the city workers who provide them.
These solutions add up to real money and concrete recommendations to the city council to adopt our budget–not the mayor’s. The numbers are conservative based on SEIU’s research:
-
$106 million in collectible debt owed the city (total debt $447 million) -
$40 million from bringing engineering and tree-trimming contracts in-house and demanding tough oversight and review -
$24 million from implementing 10% cuts on contractors -
$97.3 million from banks
–canceling toxic debt and making banks pay their fair share on foreclosed properties -
$285 million from full implementation of the “Better Way for LA” agreement
– Environmental Engineering Associate II Nady Maechling
Download SEIU’s Fact Sheets:
Collect City Debts Now
Get Tough on Costly Contracts
Banks Do Your Part
This fiscal crisis is real. We know we’ve done our part by deferring raises and approving ERIP when we voted for a Better Way for LA last year. But the City Council isn’t going to stand up to the Mayor without us.
Can your co-workers count on you to help?
Contact your Bargaining Team member, Steward or Worksite Organizer. Or call the Member Action Center at (877) 721-4YOU [4968] to fight for a strong budget without cuts.
Download 3/31/10 Budget Update to share with co-workers.
Photo Gallery from the meeting on flickr