Headlines

Workers demand higher salary at a rally on Thursday as the clock runs out on their contracts.

SEIU 721 President David Green said inflation this year alone is higher than the 6% proposed by the county over three years.

Los Angeles County employees have threatened to strike if they aren’t given pay increases and other benefits to help offset the costs of inflation, and on Thursday, an estimated 2,000 people marched in downtown Los Angeles in support of that cause.

In a statement, the Service Employees International Union Local 721 called the rally at the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration the “largest mobilization in the union’s history.”

“This is shaping up to be one of the biggest contract fights in LA County history,” said David Green, SEIU 721’s president.

Los Angeles County union workers, including employees in health care, library administration and public works are on the verge of a strike.

About 55,000 members of SEIU Local 721 say they’ll strike if the county doesn’t pay them more.

SEIU 721 officials said workers demonstrating in downtown Los Angeles Thursday included those in health care, library administration, public works, social services, homelessness outreach, public safety, custodial services and more.

The union’s current labor contract with the county expires at midnight.

The campaign is organized by the Mobile Workers Alliance, a group backed by the Service Employees International Union.