We Walked Out and Turned It Up

On Oct. 1, 5,000 LA County members gathered at California Plaza in downtown LA and marched to the LA County Hall of Administration. With one voice, we proudly said: It’s time to negotiate seriously.

County management continues to reject our proposals to lift the living wage, reduce caseloads and workloads for social workers, provide RideShare subsidies and close loopholes that allow corporations to avoid paying property taxes.

LA County member’s current contract expired at midnight on Sept. 30. Unfortunately, the County has been unresponsive at the bargaining table. County workers are demanding that the County return to the table and bargain in good faith for the benefit of LA County’s residents.

“The number of members who showed up to the action was jaw
dropping. The Board of Supervisors would have to be deaf and blind to not know
we are serious about settling on a fair contract.”
-Abraham Perez, GM I, Parks and Recreation

“I am the mother of four children, so I need a fair contract to provide for my family. That’s why I brought my kids with me to this massive action. We are fighting as a family for a strong contract.  We’ll do what it takes to protect our communities, our families and our futures.”
-Lydia Cabral, Patient Resources Worker, LAC+USC  

Toward the end of the rally, a delegation of members went to talk directly to County CEO Bill Fujioka. SEIU 721 President Bob Schoonover, a member of the delegation, reported back to the crowd that Fujioka agreed to personally help push negotiations forward.

We are going back to the bargaining table on Oct. 3. The County knows we mean business, and that we want our contract settled so we can get back to providing services for Los Angeles County residents.