Stock image of SEIU Local 721. Credit: SEIU
Los Angeles County is preparing for a strike by SEIU 721.
L.A. County public works employees, public and mental health professionals, social workers and parks and recreation staff represented by the union are preparing to go on strike Monday because of alleged labor law violations.
More than 55,000 members of SEIU are expected to go on strike Monday at 7 p.m. which could lead to disruptions in services for county residents.
The union says it will be the first strike of its kind in L.A. County.
The strike could impact a number of services including the county's non-urgent health clinics, public libraries, wildfire clean-up services, trash pick-up and homeless encampment enforcement.
This may result in potential short-term disruptions to several department from Monday, April 28 through Wednesday, April 30.
The public may experience some delays or disruptions in service during this period.
The union is citing 44 unfair labor practices it claims have gone unanswered for six months, ABC7 is reporting. They are calling for the county to increase wages and fill vacancies instead of using contractors.
"These folks... the 721 members, we're public servants. Nobody does this job because they want to get rich or because it's glamorous work. We're all here to serve the public, they feel really disrespected and they don't feel heard," David Green, president and executive director of SEIU 721, told ABC7. "So it's unfortunate it's gotten to this point, but our members are very engaged and they're ready to go on strike and send a message to L.A. County that they're tired of being disrespected, and they need to negotiate in good faith."
The union accuses L.A. County management of refusing to bargain with union members in good faith and allege retaliation and surveillance of union members.
The union claims the county's proposal was a zero percent increase for cost of living, and alleges the L.A. County Board of Supervisors was able to spend $205 million on a downtown skyscraper for new office space, while maintaining there's no money for frontline staff.
The Board of Supervisors disputes those claims, saying there are other costs the county is facing, including $4 billion on sex assault claims and $2 billion in impacts from January's wildfires.
Additional reporting by City News Service.
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