LA County workers’ strike placed on hold, as negotiations are set to resume

A possible strike by thousands of Los Angeles County employees was placed on hold Wednesday, Oct. 2, as a result of an agreement between their union and county leadership.

The two sides have agreed to go back to the negotiating table in November, setting a schedule for labor talks to discuss union allegations of unfair labor practices and begin framing the workers’ next contract.

The union’s 22 bargaining units will meet with county management to talk, said Roxanne Marquez, a spokesperson for the union.

SEIU 721, the union representing 55,000 LA County workers, announced on Tuesday, Sept. 24 that it had authorized a strike for Oct. 10, unless county management comes back to the negotiating table. About 1,000 members of the SEIU 721 union came to the Board of Supervisors meeting that day threatening a work stoppage. That is now highly unlikely to happen, said Marquez on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Oct. 1, Service Employees International Union Local 721 President David Green met with county CEO Fesia Davenport and county board chair Supervisor Lindsey Horvath. According to Horvath, the group agreed to begin talking about the union’s outstanding issues and also begin bargaining ahead of schedule.

“Los Angeles County is fortunate to have a skilled and dedicated workforce that deserves our partnership and respect. By returning to the table, Los Angeles County avoids an October strike and reaffirms our commitment to honoring the dignity of the workers who provide the County’s vital social safety net services,” said Horvath in a prepared statement.

The union’s existing contract is set to expire in March.

City News Service contributed to this report.