Mass Picketing by LA City Workers Causes Disruptions

In response to what their union views as a lack of good-faith labor negotiations, thousands of city employees from downtown to Los Angeles International Airport went on strike Tuesday for a planned 24-hour work stoppage.

However, municipal leaders said the city is still operating, albeit with some disruptions. Some of the streets around City Hall were shut down after the striking workers arrived there throughout the course of the night. 

More employees started picketing at LAX early on Tuesday, and some shuttle bus drivers were among those who chose to leave their jobs, which complicated travel for many individuals trying to catch planes. 

The picketing snarled some of the always-hectic traffic at LAX and blocked certain terminal doors. Union representatives spoke to City Council members in advance of a planned event at City Hall and encouraged them to ensure fair labor negotiations.

Read next: Federal Judge Blocks Colorado Gun Law, Citing Precedent from Supreme Court’s Bruen Case

Mayor Assures LA Won’t Shut Down Amid Union Strike

With picket signs, thousands more union members gathered outside City Hall. Mayor Karen Bass claimed that the city of Los Angeles will not shut down despite warnings from city authorities that the 11,000-person walkout would cause minor service interruptions.

The employees who are covered by SEIU Local 721 claim that contract negotiations have dragged out as they battle for better benefits and greater pay.

Negotiations between the union and the city will pick up again the following Monday, according to SEIU officials. 

According to SEIU Local 721 Chief of Staff Gilda Valdez, the union and city reached a one-year deal in November 2022 with the understanding that negotiations would resume right after the winter holidays. 

After then, the union and the city would bargain over a variety of smaller, more specific suggestions. 

However, the union has filed an unfair labor practice claim with the municipal Employee Relations Board, along with other claims filed over various concerns in recent months, because the city has broken their pledge to discuss these matters, according to Valdez.

Read next: The 2023 Women’s World Cup Marks a Bitter Chapter for US Soccer

Source: abc7.com