Coalition of LA City Unions

An Important Message From the Coalition of LA City Unions

June 19, 2009, 6 p.m.

We're taking a break from a meeting at City Hall to give you an important update about ongoing discussions with the City that could affect your job.

We all agree that mandatory furloughs and layoffs would be devastating to our City. That's why the Coalition of LA City Unions has been working for well over a year toward an agreement with the City that keeps LA working in this time of unprecedented budget crisis.

This week we--Cheryl Parisi of AFSCME, Julie Bucher of SEIU 721, Daniel Villao of the Building and Construction Trades, Victor Gordo of LIUNA 777, Carlos Rubio of the Teamsters and Lance Bedolla of the Operating Engineers--have met with the Mayor, the Mayor's staff, the Executive Employee Relations Committee (EERC), interim City Administrative Officer Ray Ciranna and Chief Legislative Analyst Gerry Miller to discuss a detailed framework that would prevent mandatory furloughs and layoffs and provide early retirement incentives for those who have given decades of service to the City.

We're working around the clock today, and will continue through the weekend if necessary. Our goal is for the Executive Employee Relations Committee (EERC) to authorize a package on Tuesday morning so it can come before all of the Coalition bargaining teams that afternoon. Additionally, the Los Angeles City Employees' Retirement System (LACERS) will meet on Monday to discuss a City proposal regarding early retirement incentives.

We know you're all aching for more details. Expect to see more information in your email inbox on Monday about early retirement incentives and on Tuesday afternoon after your bargaining team meets. Remember: No agreement will be final without a full vote of all union members.

We're well aware that you expect your union to be responsible and proactive in working with City decision-makers, rather than sitting on the sidelines. Rest assured that the Coalition of LA City Unions' principals and bargaining teams are working tirelessly to protect your job, the City services you provide, and your ability to support yourself and your family during this unprecedented economic crisis, and that everything you the members have done: rallying in front of City Hall, dogging the Mayor, rallying at the Mayor's mansion, marching on City Hall and calling and e-mailing the Mayor and City Council has created the climate for us to move this forward. We would not have gotten so far without your actions.

In solidarity,

Cheryl Parisi, American Federation of State, County, & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 36

Julie Butcher, Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
Local 721

Daniel Villao, Los Angeles/Orange County Building & Construction Trades Council

Victor Gordo, Laborers International Union (LIUNA) Local 777

Carlos Rubio, International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 911

Lance Bedolla, International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 501