Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Thousands of LA County Workers Assemble in Walkout
Roughly 2,000 union members assembled on Grand Avenue Tuesday to push for what they say is a fair shake from Los Angeles County, while the county's chief executive said it was offering a 6 percent wage increase over three years.
Police officers along the march route said they expected 3,000-5,000 people to join the rally and march through downtown to the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration.
A band played Public Enemy's "Fight the Power" and Bob Marley's "Get Up, Stand Up," from the back of a truck as labor leaders prompted the purple- shirted crowd in a call and response: "They say cut back," "We say fight back."
"We've brought thoughtful proposals that would benefit Angelenos of all stripes to the bargaining table," said David Green, a children's social worker and treasurer for Service Employees International Union Local 721. "The county has been ignoring the needs of L.A. residents by dragging its heels and failing to negotiate seriously."
But a county spokesman said a proposal is already on the table offering a 2 percent wage increase this month, 2 percent next October and 2 percent in April 2015, a deal similar to one tentatively accepted by 21 of 28 non-public safety unions.
"What we have on the table is a conservative, financially viable salary increase," said county spokesman David Sommers.
But a union spokesman flatly denied that the union had received that proposal.
"That deal has not been offered to us," said SEIU spokesman Lowell Goodman.
Goodman declined to say whether a 6 percent increase would be accepted or precisely what level of wage would be acceptable.
"Then I'd be doing the work of the bargaining team," Goodman said.
He did say that workers had been asked to contribute more to their healthcare premiums at a level that would, in many cases, exceed the amount of a 2 percent raise.
About half of the roughly 55,000 SEIU local union members earn $40,000 a year or less, Goodman said, while the county spokesman cited the average salary, which he calculated at $53,800 per year.
Union members are also pressing for non-economic terms, like a stronger rideshare program to reduce traffic congestion and a move to close property tax loopholes for large corporations.
"Bargaining is a chance for our members ... to bargain around things that will improve their jobs and the lives of the citizens of Los Angeles County," Goodman said. But the county has "said no to everything non- economic."
Sommers said the SEIU employees -- who include nurses, social workers, park employees and librarians -- provide services he called "critical," but that the county was prepared to provide residents the services they need despite the walkout.
"We have not seen any massive shortfall of staff," Sommers said. "No department has raised a red flag yet."
Union organizers and county officials agree that county employees deserve higher wages after nearly five years without any increase.
"All of our labor partners did this incredible thing over the last four years. We haven't had to cut public services ... because labor agreed to forego raises during the recession," Sommers said.
But they seem to disagree about what is on offer. The parties are no longer at the bargaining table and any new proposal will require a vote by the Board of Supervisors at its next public meeting scheduled for Oct. 8, according to Goodman.
The union representative stressed that it is not a strike and employees will return to work Wednesday morning.
"The county is optimistic that we will have a resolution soon," Sommers said.
Traffic was shut down on Grand Avenue between First and Fourth streets to accommodate the march, which is expected to end at 500 W. Temple St. around noon.
—City News Service.
We're turning 3!
But YOU get the presents!
The Cake Mamas will be giving away 3,000 cupcakes to celebrate 3 awesome years in business!
Tues Oct 1st we will be giving away 1,000 FREE cupcakes to celebrate our birthday! So stop by our Glendora location with your while family! We’ll be open from 10am-7pm, PLUS we'll have... minis available ALL DAY LONG!
We're also giving away an additional 2,000 cupcakes throughout the entire month of Oct!
Here are the details:
• Send us an email to charity@thecakemamas.com nominating someone you think is deserving of some FREE cupcakes! Or, if YOU have a great story, tell us yours!
• We're looking for awesome stories about your lives, struggles, overcoming sicknesses or other adversities. If you know someone in the hospital, someone getting married on a super tight budget, someone trying to raise money for a funeral, anything… We want to hear about it!
• Who can win? An organization, a classroom, an office, a family in need, a loved one...Anyone who has a great story and is deserving of a little sweetness in their lives.
• We will select and announce at least one winner EVERY SINGLE DAY during the month of October! Each winner will win anywhere from 12 to 100 cupcakes.
• Be sure to include the amount of cupcakes you are requesting. *We will do our best to accommodate your requests, but please be reasonable.
But YOU get the presents!
The Cake Mamas will be giving away 3,000 cupcakes to celebrate 3 awesome years in business!
Tues Oct 1st we will be giving away 1,000 FREE cupcakes to celebrate our birthday! So stop by our Glendora location with your while family! We’ll be open from 10am-7pm, PLUS we'll have... minis available ALL DAY LONG!
We're also giving away an additional 2,000 cupcakes throughout the entire month of Oct!
Here are the details:
• Send us an email to charity@thecakemamas.com nominating someone you think is deserving of some FREE cupcakes! Or, if YOU have a great story, tell us yours!
• We're looking for awesome stories about your lives, struggles, overcoming sicknesses or other adversities. If you know someone in the hospital, someone getting married on a super tight budget, someone trying to raise money for a funeral, anything… We want to hear about it!
• Who can win? An organization, a classroom, an office, a family in need, a loved one...Anyone who has a great story and is deserving of a little sweetness in their lives.
• We will select and announce at least one winner EVERY SINGLE DAY during the month of October! Each winner will win anywhere from 12 to 100 cupcakes.
• Be sure to include the amount of cupcakes you are requesting. *We will do our best to accommodate your requests, but please be reasonable.
KCRW Presents:
Frightened Rabbit
AUGUSTINES
Thu, October 3, 2013
8:00 pm
The Glass House
Pomona, CA
$20.00
Tickets
This event is all ages
| Goldenvoice |
| Disclosure |
| with: T. Williams |
| Choose either GA Floor (standing) or GA Balcony (unreserved seats). GA Balcony tickets do not include access to the Floor or Pit areas. Pit wristbands are given out on a first-come first serve basis to GA Floor ticket holders based on capacity. |
| Oct 15 |
| Doors open: 8pm |
| Show Starts: 9pm |
| Genre: Electro |
| Ages: All Ages |
| Tickets Onsale: Friday, 8/9 at 10am |
| Ticket Price: $20-$35 adv/$40 dos |
|
Together We Read
Our kick-off event takes place Friday, October 4 at Western University of Health Sciences, with Bruce Embrey, co-chair of the Manzanar Committee. Check out other Together We Read activities at http://westernu.libcal.com/twr
Erin Brockovich to speak at San Gabriel Valley Water Forum
POMONA -- Consumer advocate Erin Brockovich will be the keynote speaker at a the San Gabriel Valley Water Forum to be held Thursday from 8:15 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the Sheraton Fairplex Conference Center in Pomona.
Brockovich will open the event with a discussion about the importance of education and information being provided to get consumers involved in the dialogue about water quality and water supply.
She will also talk about her past and current work around the world on behalf of environmental and consumer issues.
Brockovich is best known for her work in the early 1990s as a legal clerk investigating complaints of mutant animals and serious illnesses in the Mojave Desert community of Hinkley,
Her battle against San Francisco utility giant Pacific Gas & Electric Co. became a movie released in 2000, called “Erin Brockovich” which won an Oscar for Julia Roberts, who portrayed Brockovich.
Hinkley continues to struggle with pollution and loss of population as a massive clean-up is likely to begin next year.
Brockovich is expected to offer her support to San Gabriel Valley groundwater clean-up efforts.
Felicia Marcus, chairwoman of the State Water Resources Control Board, will be the keynote luncheon speaker.
Breakout sessions will deal with topics including an update on Superfund clean-up efforts in the San Gabriel Valley and advances in perchlorate treatment methods.
For more information or to register go to sgvwaterforum.com.
American, Czech Win L.A. Triathlon
Kevin Everett of Boise, Ida. and Radka Vodickova of the Czech Republic were the men's and women's winners in today's 14th annual Herbalife Triathlon Los Angeles.
Everett completed the course in one hour, 52 minutes, 28 seconds, 1:30 ahead of runner-up William Jones of La Jolla.
Dustin McLarty led after the 1,500-meter swim off Venice Beach, but Everett took the lead following the 40-kilometer (24.8-mile) bicycle segment to L.A. Live.
Vodickova was timed in 2:03:07, 1:05 ahead of second-place finisher Heather Jackson of Bend, Ore.
Vodickova had the fastest swimming time, 21:28, kept her lead with the fourth-fastest cycling time, 1:04:41, and the third fastest run, 35:15.
Everett and Vodickova each received $3,000 for their victories. Jones and Jackson earned $1,000 each for their second-place finishes.
Organizers expected a field of approximately 2,500 from 17 nations, including the race's first competitors from Croatia, Ecuador and Indonesia, and 21 states.
By City News Service
Strong Santa Ana winds and low humidity levels will create the threat of wildfires in the Southland from late Thursday through Saturday, according to National Weather Service forecasters.
As the winds pick up and humidity levels tumble, temperatures will climb into the 90s.
"The combination of gusty Santa Ana winds with very low humidities and warm temperatures may bring a significant threat of critical fire weather conditions to Southern California Thursday night through Saturday," according to an NWS advisory.
"Extremely dry fuel conditions in place would allow for large and rapid fire growth potential if winds and dry air develop as projected late in the week."
The greatest threat in Southern California will be in Ventura and Los Angeles counties, forecasters said.
Temperatures will climb precipitously Friday and Saturday in some areas before beginning a retreat on Sunday, according to an NWS forecast. Downtown Los Angeles, for example will go from a high of 77 Thursday to highs of 90 on Friday and Saturday, then down to 84 on Sunday.
-- City News Service
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