Following the Mayor’s call to shut down City services two days a week, the Coalition of LA City Unions issued the following statement:
“DWP and the mayor are painting LA residents into a corner,” said SEIU 721 President Bob Schoonover. “The mayor should order DWP to transfer these funds immediately, not cut core services. That’s what we need to hear.”
Residents who rely on city services and workers who provide those services are about to become collateral damage in a political fight around DWP funds.
This is playing brinksmanship and city residents will pay the price. This is not a game, it shouldn’t be treated as a game.
Los Angeles has a serious crisis, but we are doing something about it. We need to change how our city does business, to resolve budget problems and preserve services for the future.
City workers are putting together a real plan, not political games. We call on everyone to come together as one City, put residents first, and work our way cooperatively through the very real challenges we face.
“Closing libraries two days a week will hurt thousands of children we see every day, who rely on our libraries as places to study, discover their creativity, and find safety,” added Madeleine Kerr, a librarian who works with children and teens. “Closing recreation facilities affects child care, sports and after-school programs for Los Angeles families. The mayor is reacting not leading.”
The mayor thinks things can still be accomplished when you are working as he is maybe 3 days a week.Unfortunate to us Angelenos there is not an examination or minimum requirement for the job of Mayor.He is screaming recall me!
The General Manager and the Board of Water & Power Commissioners is appointed by and serves at the discretion of the Mayor. He can order DWP to send the much needed funds to the City. The GM of DWP is an exempt manager and can be fired for any reason.