Tens of thousands of Los Angeles County employees hit the picket lines again on Tuesday in a push for higher wages, with the strike threatening to disrupt services at libraries, healthcare clinics, and government offices throughout the country’s most populous county.
The two-day strike, which began Monday evening, comes after contract talks between LA County and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 721 broke down. The previous agreement expired in March, and this marks the first time all 55,000 union members are striking at once, according to the union.
SEIU Local 721 represents a wide range of public employees, including healthcare workers, social service staff, parks and recreation employees, custodians, and clerical staff — all serving a population of 10 million.
Striking workers, clad in purple, held signs reading “We are the safety net!” while demonstrating at locations like Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and various Department of Children and Family Services offices.
Union President David Green emphasized the vital role these workers have played during multiple crises, from wildfires to public health emergencies. “This is the workforce that got LA County through emergency after emergency,” Green said. “We’ve had enough of labor law violations and are demanding respect.”
The strike is scheduled to continue through 7 p.m. Wednesday. Until then, residents may face delays or temporary closures at public libraries, healthcare clinics, beach restrooms, and service counters in places like the Hall of Administration. The medical examiner’s office and public works operations may also be affected, though county hospitals and most administrative offices are expected to remain open.
SEIU has accused the county of committing 44 labor law violations during negotiations, including retaliation, unlawful surveillance of union activities, and outsourcing work meant for union members.
County officials, meanwhile, cite intense financial pressures. These include a tentative $4 billion settlement related to thousands of child sexual abuse claims, $2 billion in projected wildfire-related costs from January, and a potential loss of hundreds of millions in federal funds.
“We’re trying to strike a balance — offering fair compensation while avoiding layoffs and protecting essential services,” said Elizabeth Marcellino, spokesperson for the county’s chief executive office. “We can’t afford to negotiate ourselves into a structural deficit.”
The city of Los Angeles faces similar fiscal troubles. Mayor Karen Bass recently proposed a budget that includes 1,600 layoffs as the city contends with a nearly $1 billion shortfall.
On Monday, more than 150 workers demonstrated outside Los Angeles General Medical Center. Lillian Cabral, a veteran employee since 1978 and a member of the bargaining committee, called the strike a historic stand involving workers from across departments — including emergency, radiology, and custodial teams.
“It’s not just unfair to us,” Cabral said. “It’s unfair to our patients, our clients, and the community we serve.”