Massive Over 50,000 Los Angeles County Employees Launch Two-Day Strike, Shuttering Services
Massive More than 50,000 Los Angeles County employees walked off the job Monday evening, launching a two-day strike that has shut down libraries and disrupted key administrative services across the country’s most populous county.
SEIU Local 721 represents over 55,000 workers, including healthcare professionals, social workers, maintenance staff, clerical employees, and parks and recreation personnel—all serving the county’s 10 million residents.
“This workforce has been on the front lines through countless crises—wildfires, health emergencies, and surging demands for social services,” said SEIU Local 721 President David Green in a statement.
In the meantime, county officials expect closures or service reductions at libraries, public health clinics, beach restrooms, and customer service desks at the Hall of Administration.
Some operations within the Medical Examiner’s Office and Public Works Department may also be impacted.
Union leaders allege the county committed 44 labor law violations during the bargaining process, including surveillance of union activity, retaliation against workers, and outsourcing jobs covered under union representation.
“We’re doing our best to avoid negotiating ourselves into a long-term budget crisis that could trigger layoffs and service cuts,” said Elizabeth Marcellino, a spokesperson for the Chief Executive Office.
“Our goal is to find a middle ground—ensuring employees are fairly compensated while preserving vital public services during one of the most difficult financial periods we’ve ever seen.”
The City of Los Angeles is dealing with similar fiscal troubles.
A member of the bargaining committee, Cabral voiced frustration over the stalled contract talks.
“This process has dragged on for far too long with very little progress,” she said.