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LA Coalition: “No Way We can Accept Layoffs” |
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Unions Push Back
(Union statement provided by Barbara Maynard)
“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 the elected 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” Schoonover continued. “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,” he said.
”Layoffs are not in anyone's interest,” Stone warned, “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 Angelinos."
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. (More info on the Coalition and its members: www.lacitycoalition.com) _
CityWatch
Vol 6 Issue 34
Pub: April 25, 2008
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