Thousands of municipal employees started a one-day strike in Los Angeles amid a wave of labor unrest that has swept through the city.
Over the past few months, LA saw several industrial actions from hotel workers, Hollywood actors, and writers.
The 11,000 member Service Employees International Union Local 721 held the strike on Tuesday, August 8.
It targeted issues such as understaffing and alleged bad-faith negotiations by city leaders.
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While the strike did not fully paralyze the city as initially threatened, it conveyed concerns about worker treatment and highlighted ongoing labor tensions.
The demonstration included workers from diverse roles, including trash collection, traffic direction, and animal shelter staffing.
The strike affected city services, prompting the rescheduling of trash pickups.
City remained operational
Although there were disruptions, Mayor Karen Bass assured the public that the city remained operational and open for negotiations.
Read More: Hollywood Writers And Studios To Resume Talks After Three-Month Impasse
She said: “City services were impacted but continued today.
“The City will always be available to make progress with SEIU 721 and we will continue bargaining in good faith.”
As part of this summer’s extraordinary wave of labor strikes, the SEIU strike joined significant actions by hotel workers, Hollywood actors, and writers.
The Writers Guild’s strike has reached a milestone of 100 days, marking a substantial dispute over contract terms.
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The broader context of these actions coincides with a post-pandemic economy where workers seek to assert their influence and demand fair treatment.
SEIU Local 721 President David Green noted critical concerns fueling the strike’s demands, such as understaffing in the sanitation department.
The labor actions coincide with a transformative period in the US job market and economy, accentuating the growing tensions between workers and employers over issues like automation and equitable benefits.
Hotel workers with Unite Here Local 11 have also staged intermittent strikes in LA and nearby cities.
