LOS ANGELES – AFSCME members who work for the city of Los Angeles helped prevent over 1,750 layoffs and protect public services in the nation’s second largest city. It’s the latest example of the union difference.
Earlier this year, the city revealed a $1 billion budget shortfall, threatening over 1,750 layoffs for municipal workers. That included some 700 members of AFSCME District Council 36.
The layoffs would have harmed public services that local residents rely on every day.
“These positions represent critical services that our residents rely on,” said Matthew Maldonado, executive director of District Council 36. “To put it simply, our members are the backbone of LA City, and I am so proud of their resilience during this fiscal emergency. They saw the challenges Los Angeles faced, and once again they stepped up to ensure that Angelenos didn’t lose the essential services they depend on.”
DC 36 represents nearly 12,000 LA city workers. They joined forces with other LA City unions to negotiate with the mayor’s office. Their efforts took months but ultimately succeeded this week when union members voted overwhelmingly to ratify a layoff avoidance agreement.
The deal prevents layoffs by finding creative solutions to close the city’s budget deficit. That includes transferring positions to other departments and working with managers to develop other alternatives. If the city is unable to fill the gap, city workers would take up to five unpaid holidays as a last recourse.
It’s a win-win all around, made possible by union members.
“This is an incredible achievement for us in this moment,” Maldonado said.
The union difference is about having a voice on the job to improve working conditions but also the public services we deliver. A voice on the job means better pay, better health care, a more secure retirement, and so much more.