Claudia Peschiutta
GLENDALE -- The "rolling" strike that has affected offices throughout
Los Angeles County this month is expected to hit locally today.
Employees at the Glendale Health Center and other facilities under the
L.A. County Department of Health Services will join in a series of
one-day strikes put on by county workers seeking improved wages, benefits
and working conditions.
This will be the second walkout in Glendale since county employees
began striking on Oct. 2, following a breakdown in contract negotiations
between the L.A. County Board of Supervisors and Service Employees
International Union Local 660.
Workers at the Public Social Services office on East Broadway held a
strike on Oct. 3.
The union, which represents about 47,000 county workers, is asking for
a 15.5% raise over three years. The county has offered 9%.
Other union demands include the creation of a fund to help county
employees pay for child-care.
Union spokesman Mark Tarnawsky said Monday it seemed likely that an
ongoing, countywide strike would begin Wednesday.
"The chances are, unfortunately, good," he said. "If we're not
bargaining, there's no way to reach an agreement."
County officials could not be reached for comment Monday.
