Tens of thousands of people working in Los Angeles County were attacked Monday night, causing some public services to be disrupted.
Members of the union SEIU 721 left their jobs after 7pm Monday to negotiate for a new fair contract with the county.
However, the strike could suspend services ranging from parks and libraries to healthcare and social work, promising that it will not affect law enforcement or first responder services.
The union represents frontline workers, with hundreds of them seen taking part in the Picket Line outside the LA General Medical Center on Monday night. This is the first of a two-day strike.
“We’re in the healthcare business. We never leave our patients at risk,” nurse anesthesiologist Kelly Zhou told KTLA’s Carlos Sauced. “We gave us a 10-day notice. This is a last resort.”
SEIU 721 alleges that the county has repeatedly violated labor laws and did not negotiate in good faith about increased living costs and health insurance.
“We are pleased to announce that we are committed to providing a range of services and services to our customers,” said David Green, president and executive director of SEIU 721.
According to the union’s website, this unfair labor practice (ULP) strike directly affects more than 55,000 employees and nearly 10 million county residents, represented by SEIU 721.
“We’re also talking about filling the vacancy. There are currently 12,000 seats available in LA County,” Green added.
The strike will close libraries and several healthcare clinics, and the cleanup of wildfire beach debris could also be affected. The union’s contract expired at the end of March, and no resolution was visible.
“Every healthcare provider is stressed and thin, but they spend billions of dollars on contracts,” Zhou said.
Thousands of LA County workers can be seen taking strikes. April 2025 (SKY5) Thousands of LA County workers can be seen taking strikes. April 2025 (SKY5) Thousands of LA County workers can be seen taking strikes. April 2025 (SKY5)
“I’m open to creative solutions, but the bottom line is simple. You should not write checks that cannot be cashed,” said Kathryn Berger, chairman of the LA County Board of Supervisors, in a statement. “Fiscal responsibility must guide negotiations to ensure long-term stability in the county’s services and operations and protect county employment, both of which should not be sacrificeed.”
Click here for more information about the closure.
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