February 5, 2010—LA City professionals pressed the LA City Council to put off a harmful plan to lay off 1,000 employees. But Mayor Villaraigosa is pushing ahead with his plan. On February 4, he pledged to speed up implementation of the Coalition of LA City Unions agreement for early retirements and transfers—but also threatened to move forward with 1,000 layoffs.

Workers spoke out this week against proposed layoffs this year and demanded accountability for the millions of dollars wasted as a result of privatizing public services. Talks with the City were cancelled so that bargaining team members could speak out.

"The impact of not implementing the Coalition's Contract Agreement is the ripple effect it has on more than 2,000 city professionals including engineers, criminalists and scientists." -Chad Doi, Structural Engineering Associate, Building and Safety Department.

 

"The City needs to work with us to fill specifically funded positions with general fund ones. We are pressing the Council to make intelligent budget decisions." -Michael Hunt, Transportation Engineer, Department of Transportation.

 

We Found Solutions, Use Them

LA City workers found ways to save money to save services, but the Council continues to drag its feet in implementing these critical recommendations. Workers propose:

    * Immediate moratorium on all consultant and personal services contracts.
      10% fee cut on contractors, vendors and consultants.
    * Evaluate all outside contracts against their contribution to core services and terminate unnecessary contracts.
    * Target $400 million owed to the city.

Take Action

Use a special message on auto-reply and email signatures to fight furloughs. Let the community know that public service is a full-time job.

•  Use an auto-reply when out on furlough:
Ex: "I am unable to assist you today because I'm out of the office on mandatory furlough. If you need immediate assistance please call (Dept phone #) __________ and ask to speak with a supervisor. Thank you."
•  Use an email signature line:
Ex: Public Service is a Full Time Job!" or "Public Safety is a Full-Time Job!"
•  Contact a Contract Action Team member at your site for anti-furlough posters and furlough tape.

Learn more at seiu721.org.