L.A. County Unions Win Successful Benefit Agreement

Despite the tough economic climate, the Coalition of County Unions (CCU) has reached a successful agreement on a new Fringe Benefits contract with support at the bargaining table offered by MCS staff.  

CCU negotiators were able to secure a contract that maintains all benefits — including retirement programs, paid holidays, sick days, and vacation days. The agreement also funds most medical and dental insurance premium increases expected over the next two years, allowing County employees represented by member Unions affiliated with the CCU to maintain a quality standard of living.  

“We started these negotiations with one goal in mind — to protect members’ take-home paychecks during this difficult recession,” said Blaine Meek, Chair of the Coalition of County Unions. “We’ve achieved our goal and look forward to working with the County over the next few years to find the solutions needed to keep services flowing to the greater L.A. community.”

CCU’s affiliated unions include:

• American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Council 36
• Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs (ALADS)
• California Association of Professional Employees (CAPE)
• International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE), Local 501
• Council of Interns and Residents (CIR-SEIU), 1957
• Los Angeles County Building & Construction Trades Council (BTC)
• Los Angeles County Firefighters (LACF), Local 1014
• Los Angeles Country Lifeguard Association (LACOLA)
• Union of American Physicians and Dentists (UAPD)
• Deputy Probation Officers Union, AFSCME Local 685

 

City Employees Reach Landmark Agreement to Preserve City Services and Save Jobs

 After around-the clock-negotiations resulted in a Tentative Agreement with City unions, on Friday, Sept. 18, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously voted to implement the Early Retirement Incentive Program (ERIP) that will allow 2,400 of the City’s most senior – and highest paid – employees to retire early, allowing for line employees to continue to provide the services that are critical to Angelino’s quality of life and public safety.

The cost of funding the ERIP will be entirely borne by civilian employees and retirees. Additionally, pursuant to the “mutual gains” clause in the Coalition of LA City Unions’ contract amendment, the Unions have tentatively agreed to identify additional savings to backfill the loss of savings from delayed implementation of the ERIP as well as a projected revenue shortfall. Details of the Coalition’s tentative agreement are pending member ratification.

“We have worked around-the-clock to do our part to help the City continue to provide services during these economically challenging times while protecting our members,” said Cheryl Parisi, Chair of the Coalition of LA City Unions. “These new tentative agreements are a testament to the power of working together, both with each other as unions and with the City leaders. Working together works for LA.”