Hundreds show up to speak against L.A. city worker layoffs

Hundreds of advocates for police officers, firefighters, the arts, senior programs, AIDS services and other municipal programs turned out Wednesday morning to urge the Los Angeles City Council not to cut 1,000 jobs to balance the budget.

With city officials looking for ways to close a $208-million gap, Council President Eric Garcetti said that council members had received 89 requests to speak on the job-cut plan. That number was expected to rise as more people moved through the council chamber. You can watch the hearing here.

The proposal submitted to the council would scale back the workforce in 33 departments while shielding key positions, particularly police officers. But employees and activists said several other city agencies also play a critical role in protecting public safety.

Backers of the Human Services Department, which is slated for elimination, said the agency’s conflict- resolution mediators have helped reduce ethnic tensions since the 1965 Watts riots. Supporters of libraries said their books and computers keep students out of trouble after school.

“Don’t let our city experience a bankruptcy of spirit, a bankruptcy of culture,” said Roy Stone, president of the Librarians’ Guild within the American Federal, State, County and Municipal Employees Union Local 2626. “That is far worse than the financial bankruptcy you’re considering.”

Other labor leaders argued that officials should drop the layoff plan and go after uncollected debts, which they estimated at $600 million. “Maybe a hundred of those attorneys that are scheduled for layoffs could help,” said Bob Schoonover, president of Service Employees International Union Local 721.

Whether the proposal will be approved by the council is unclear. At least a third of its 15 members spoke out against the job reductions earlier this week. And Wednesday morning, members signaled support to advocates for various programs and agencies who were in the audience.

Backers of the Cultural Affairs Department, which is slated to lose at least 16 positions, showed up wearing stickers such as “Art Fuels L.A.” and “Art Feeds L.A.” Councilman Tom LaBonge, who represents part of Hollywood, quickly grabbed one of those stickers and put it on his own lapel as the testimony began.

Adolfo Nodal, a onetime general manager of the department, urged the council to confer with the agency’s current manager and its volunteer board to find more surgical ways to reduce arts programs.

“They can work with you to make the right cuts,” he said. “But don’t destroy us.”

-- David Zahniser at Los Angeles City Hall

Photo: Council members listen to City Administrative Officer Miguel Santana give layoff recommendations during a council meeting Wednesday. Credit: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times

More breaking news in L.A. Now:

Former teen idol Leif Garrett arrested on charge of possession of heroin

Baby gray whale 'putting on quite a show' off Malibu Pier

LAPD's Jim McDonnell named next chief of Long Beach Police Department

Stanford is top fundraiser among U.S. colleges in 2009

Marijuana seized in banana shipment at San Diego border crossing

Crews work to repair water main breaks in Northridge, Gardena

L.A. wants to double red-light camera program: safety measure or revenue generator?

Michael Jackson death investigation may be coming to a conclusion

L.A. activists float idea of ‘freeway’ system for bikes

Mystery man wanted for questioning in slaying of Southern California model

Comments

[Gil Gunderson]

Raise taxes and fees or cut jobs and expenses.

That's it, no accounting tricks, fairy federal godmother nor phantom $600 million in uncollected debts are going to close the gap.

This is no different than fat people bemoaning their appearance while simultaneously refusing to decrease their caloric intake or exercise accordingly.

[Robert NO longer in LA]

The 'New & Improved' WELFARE STATE; Govt Employment...FOR LIFE...at even GREATER Cost, and ZERO Accountability! in case you didn't know...you CANNOT AFFORD these clowns!

[Michael B]

Cuts are tough, but so is the real world.

Cut now!

[Bruce]

As painful as layoffs are, it is time for state and city workers to go through what workers in the private sector have been experiencing for over a year. There is no job security and these workers need to learn that as everyone else has.

[John]

Well don't lay off anyone from the bloated police force, after all, who would be able to go in and bust up the Medical Marijuana Dispensaries?

And don't lay off any one from the City Attorney's office, after all, who would be able to defend the city from the massive lawsuits that are anticipated.

Lay off people from the parks, streets, garbage, utilities, libraries, schools, etc... They're all running so efficiently, and the last thing you want in a city this large is efficiency. And besides those institutions are socialist, and Cops and Lawyers are conservative "needs".

Sarcasm.

It is a shame that no one ever anticipates a down economy. No wonder everyone in America is so good with their money. Modeled behavior, we learn it from our government.

From now on, let's not deficit spend, let's set aside 10% for a rainy day, and then define what a rainy day is.

[Ara]

With the city budget shortfall as bad as it is, there is no alternative except to cut some jobs. And with the way union workers are protected, this is a unique opportunity to trim the fat.

[Ramon]

Keep Libraries, Fire & Police. Eliminate the Rest.

[Thomas]

Cost cutting is never pleasant. In fact, it's painful. But for the City, the choice is clear. Either enact these significant cost cutting measures now, or be forced to enact even more draconian measures later. Its as simple as that and no amount of emotional testimony will change the numbers.

Our current leaders need to stand up, reacquaint themselves with their backbones and do the right thing.

[Sean B]

Difficult times call for equally difficult decisions.

Reducing staff is one of the tactics the city must employ to eliminate the operating defecit. The defecit is $200 million this year, and will grow over the following years, until it is nearly a billion in 2013, out of a total budget of just five billion. Layoffs are just getting started this year.

That layoffs will be necessary from all city departments is a foregone conclusion. It's unfortunte that both the Mayor and Council are both failing to lead at this time.

[Julian B Duron]

This Mayor and each City Councilperson should lead by example. From the highest paid elected officials in the country (some are double dipping the city with police pension also) where COLA increases are locked into the Judges COLA sounds of: I got mine but lets after employee’s salaries and benefits and pensions.
Every Council District 1 to 15 has a city funded office staff and budget same as the Mayor’s office staff and budget which is 30 Million just for the Mayor office alone.
Where is the Shared Sacrifice, Patron? Where ever the Mayor goes, look at the PAID entourage that follows. Between the Mayoral Aids, Deputy Mayors and support staff of his office looks like of an HBO Special.
Taking a Personally responsibility in this CITY’S financial train wreck will go a long way by deferring more that what he is asking of the career employees to give.
Reducing own salary by 20% and reducing mayoral office staff and paid HBO entourage (POSSE) by the same will show his own SHARED SACRIFICE. Same with each city council office staff in every district.
I doubt very seriously any elected official in this “Corrupt Political Machine” will step up and show this kind of leadership.

[FERENC]

SO MOST OF THE LA CITY "WORKERS" SHOWED UP FOR THE MEETING, ON TAXPAYER'S MONEY OF COURSE.

[Robert NO longer in LA]

ALL those 'Sacred Cows' = time for a BIG BBQ!!!!!!! Most appear to be suffering from Mad Cow, anyway!

[Kelly]

The UNITED STATES IS THE DUMBEST COUNTRY, and california is the dumbest state. we need to start taking action like Timothy Mcveigh took action. my new slogan is "don't vote, the USA will mess it up anyway"

[Jerry Vandesic]

If I worked at one of the bond rating companies, I would be looking at this and immediately downgrading LA's bond rating. The city is obviously unable to manage itself effectively, and thus is not a good credit risk. In the end all of this commotion will raise the cost of LA's ability to borrow, and will increase the number of people that need to lose their jobs. Ultimately the city will get what it deserves.

[Delia]

Explain how laying off hundreds of more people is going to help are countrys budget. It can only hurt us all more. These people own homes/cars they are still paying on, which means more Foreclosures coming! This just is getting worse for all of us and it's real scary whats coming. I'm a renter and I cant afford a car but luckly there's MTA and boy I use it. I try and look at the bright side in my life but reading that more layoffs are coming does not sound right! With the upcoming LA MARATHON, and the $125 register fee there charging, cant that help and all the tickets being wrote out everyday and concerts/games at Staples?

[dreadlord76]

Fascinating. What exactly is going to pay for the "Culture" or "Spirit" once the city goes bankrupt?

Note that the courts have ruled once bankruptcy is declared, the union and pension contracts can be forced to be reworked. That should be what the city workers be worrying about.

Want to save jobs? Offer to take a 20% salary cut.

[Saul]

Time to face reality we can't afford every bloated program. The city council needs to do the right thing make the cuts and then make more cuts reduce overtime!

[MaxersLA]

Is Roy Stone serious??? I almost choked on my lunch when I read that lame statement regarding BK of culture being more important than financial bankruptcy. Hey Roy, newsflash, you want to keep your job? Take the emotions out of it and put in concrete numbers and examples the reasons why you should not be eliminated.

I am a corporate sales rep, and I took a 50% cut in pay last year over the year before, and probably make even less this year. BOO HOO Roy, adapt and change like the rest of us are being forced to.

[D. Head]

Cut cut cut! Anyone who says raise taxes is an idiot, sorry. What universe do you live in?

We're sooooo *over* taxed in Los Angeles and in California and look at what we get -deficits.

Revenues are up year over year, this city takes in soooo much money its insane. Would you hire them as your financial planner?

What the hell is the Dpt. of Human Services? Nothing but bloat.

[Dian]

Did any of them mention CHAPTER NINE?

That is the bankruptcy chapter in courts pertaining to municipal bankruptcy filing.

LA seems about ready with meeting all the requirements for a filing of Chapter 9.

[dreadlord76]

Delia: Explain how laying off hundreds of more people is going to help are countrys budget.

Please look up what the word "Budget" means. If you have 10 dollars, you can only spend 10 dollars. You can either spend on less things (cut people), or pay less for each thing (cut pay). You can try to increase income (Increase Taxes), but that will come out of someones "Budget".

Government spending does not create wealth. Basic law and order is needed, but everything else sucks up capital for private spending/investment.

[Informer]

Lay them off....the city defecit growing daily. Start the ball rolling.

[meee]

Please, please please. layoff some of these people!
City workers are notoriously lazy, but not all. The city really needs to trim off some of the fat.
What gives them the right NOT to be layed off?

[andrew nelson]

Wake up, everyone. 19,000 small businesses went bankrupt, this year, in California. That number is twice the number it was last year. There is no more money. Granted, Socialism is great, until you run out of other people's money to spend. But there is just no more money. You broke the economic engine that used to be the 9th largest economy in the world. No more free lunch. Sorry. Everyone can go back home now, where they belong. Don't worry about cleaning up after the party, the citizens will have to take care of that when you leave, I guess. The Party is Over.

[KK]

Cuts are painful. The job entitlement for life is not real. You can't keep raising taxes. If that happens I will be the first to move out. This country is in a mess. Government will no teeth.