LA County Workers Vote to Call for Strike if Other Actions Fail

By City News Service

Thousands of Los Angeles County employees who are members of SEIU 721 have voted to authorize their union's bargaining team to escalate actions and possibly call for a strike, according to a media advisory.

The authorization was approved by 95 percent of voters, according to the media advisory.

"We hope the County understands that workers are solidly supporting their bargaining team and their union," said SEIU 721 President Bob Schoonover.

Among the proposals made by SEIU 721 members:

-raising the living wage for low-wage workers who work for private companies that contract with the county;

-strengthening the RideShare program;

-forcing corporations to pay property taxes;

-reducing caseloads for social workers;

-wage increases for middle class county workers.

Voting took place from October 23 to November 8 at more than 120 locations in Los Angeles County, according to the media advisory.