Los Angeles is witnessing a 24-hour strike organized by thousands of municipal workers on Tuesday. The strike comes as a protest against alleged bad-faith bargaining by government officials over a new contract, marking the latest in a series of labor actions affecting the vast city.
Around 11,000 city employees, including mechanics, lifeguards, traffic officers, and airport staff, represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) 721, were anticipated to participate in picket lines. The union took to social media to emphasize their demand for fair labor practices and respect from city management. “We are striking for respect, plain and simple – and if we don’t get it we’ll shut it down,” SEIU stated online.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass acknowledged that certain city services would be disrupted during the one-day strike. The closure of some of the 55 swimming pools, a one-day delay in trash pickups, potential delays at the city’s 311 information call center, and an additional hour of delay for passengers departing from Los Angeles International Airport were among the potential impacts listed.
Mayor Bass assured that the city would not shut down and emphasized their commitment to making progress with SEIU 721, continuing the bargaining process in good faith.
The union’s decision to strike stemmed from alleged unfair labor practices by the city during negotiations involving recruitment, retention, and hiring matters. According to the union, Los Angeles officials have disregarded prior agreements, sent negotiators without proper bargaining authority, and limited union access to work sites.
This strike is the latest in a string of organized labor actions in Los Angeles this summer. Hollywood writers have been on strike for three months, followed by actors who initiated a strike three weeks ago. In July, thousands of hotel workers staged a three-day strike in the city, addressing concerns about wages, benefits, and working conditions.
