Coalition Works to Protect Services
and Avert Layoffs
April 21, 2008
Mayor Villaraigosa released his Proposed Budget for 2008–09 this morning. The Mayor’s proposal is only a starting point for design of the Budget. It now moves to the City Council, where it will go through a series of hearings, beginning in the Budget and Finance Committee. The Coalition of LA City Unions and its members will be present and vocal every step of the way.
Coalition representatives will be meeting with City leaders and staff of the CAO. They will be working to determine the potential impacts of the Proposed Budget on members and ways we might minimize negative impacts such as layoffs or mandatory furloughs. Rest assured your union representatives are working to protect City workers and maintain support for the services you provide.
There is still time to contribute your budget ideas to cut costs or enhance revenue. Click on the “Budget Ideas” tab at the top of this page and give us your input. No idea is too small!
Below is a statement the Coalition put out earlier today:
Coalition of L.A. City Unions
For Immediate Release April 21, 2008
“City workers understand the nature of the budget problem, not only as front-line service providers, but as Los Angeles residents and taxpayers ourselves,” explained Bob Schoonover, a Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanic with the City and a Vice President of SEIU Local 721.
“The challenges facing the City are not unique to Los Angeles. They are the result of the same economic ordeal impacting cities, states, businesses, and families across the country.
“Despite the difficulties, we are committed to continuing to provide quality services to people of Los Angeles.”
Members of the Coalition of LA City Unions represent workers who provide a wide range of services from answering 911 calls to repairing potholes to running gang prevention programs.
Roy Stone, a Librarian with the City and President of the Librarians’ Guild, emphasized the Coalition’s desire to avert layoffs. “Every City worker represents a City service. Librarians in every community are necessary to continue the programs that keep children off the streets and provide education and opportunity for residents.
“Layoffs are not in anyone's interest. They're bad for residents who need the services we provide and they're bad for communities who depend on good, family-sustaining jobs. The last thing we want is to put the youngest workers with families out of a job in an economy like this. We will continue to work with the Mayor and City Council to avoid layoffs and maintain services, working towards the best solution for all Angelenos.”
Workers across the City are drawing on their on-the-ground experience to generate ideas to address the budget problem. In a situation like this, it is imperative to look in every corner of City work and leave no stone unturned for ways to reduce costs and generate revenue.
“There is no way we can accept layoffs and the accompanying service cuts until the City has taken a serious look at every idea on the table,” said Schoonover.
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Click on links below for more updates.
Coalition Continues to Fight Layoffs And Cuts
City Employees Step up/Speakout to Save City Services
Coalition Works to Protect Services and Avert Layoffs
L.A. City Workers Take
Initiative in Attacking Budget Problem
We are Proud to Serve LA
Jun 28, 2007 - We are the workers who keep Los Angeles running...
September 7, 2007 - Coalition Makes Impact on
Labor Day
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