Finding a Fix for Our Superior Courts

“We need to find a fix for our courts, both in LA County and across the state. We’re still not where we need to be.”
-State Assembly Member Chris Holden

On Nov. 25, SEIU Local 721 LA County Superior Court Workers led Calif. State Assemblyman Chris Holden on a walkthrough tour of the Pasadena Courthouse.

Assemblyman Holden talked with workers and thanked them for educating him on the issues facing Superior Courts and the public. He pledged to find ways to help the courts get back to where they were before the cuts.

What SEIU 721 Members Said

“There have been more than 7,500 new cases filed since July. I’ve had to work overtime two or three times a month to keep up, but I’m still a week behind.”
-Lorena Becerra, Court Services Asst. II, Unlawful Detainer Dept.

“After the court closures, I got transferred far away from my home and it put stress on my family. And when I’m at work, I deal with frustrated customers all day long. I understand it, but it’s really tough. ”
-Robert Williams, Court Services Asst. III, Traffic Dept.

“The court closures have really hurt Pasadena. Now, there are long lines daily. Sometimes I have to turn people away because we don’t have enough time to serve them. This has led to security issues and lots of angry people. I’ve even had to ask sheriff’s deputies to remove people from line.Morale for court employees has gotten bad too. People are working so hard, but the work never seems to end.”
-Sonia Barajas Garcia, Court Services Supervisor, Traffic Dept.

Check out photos from the walkthrough:

 

Download a flyer to post at your worksite.

To find out more about the walkthroughs, contact Worksite Organizers Wanda Bellamy: (213) 610-2146 or Earl Thompson: (213) 300-5529.