SR Holguin, PC is a union-side labor and employment law firm with nearly four decades of experience representing private sector unions, public sector unions, and multi-employer trust funds. SR Holguin, PC is committed to providing full-service legal representation to each of our clients.
One way in which SR Holguin, PC ensures our clients and their members stay informed is by keeping you updated on recent developments relating to workers’ rights. Today’s updates come following the release of the October 19, 2021 Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors meeting agenda. There is one item in particular that could impact you.
Workers Who Could be Impacted: Los Angeles County Employees
Agenda item 28: Service Employee International Union (SEIU) Fringe Benefits and Bargaining Units Represented by SEIU Local 721 and Coalition of County Unions Memoranda of Understanding (MOU).
The County’s Chief Executive Officer sent a Letter to the Board entitled Memoranda of Understanding Extensions For SEIU Fringe Benefits, All Individual Bargaining Units Represented By SEIU Local 721, and for the Coalition of County Unions; and Related Bonus and Fringe Benefit Changes for Non-Represented Employees All Districts (4-Votes).”
The Letter provided in part, “[t]his Board letter seeks approval for negotiated labor agreements for the periods of July 1, 2021 – March 31, 2022 and October 1, 2021 – March 31, 2022 for the [Coalition of County Unions (CCU)] and SEIU, respectively. The terms of these agreements were made in consideration of uncertain economic projections for the County.
Represented Employees [:] SEIU Local 721 Fringe Benefit MOU Amendment [:] We have concluded negotiations and are submitting an MOU extension for a six-month term from October 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022. This agreement and corresponding modifications to the County Code provide for changes in the contributions to the Options Cafeteria Plan, medical plan subsidies for part-time temporary and recurrent employees, and the addition of a new County holiday (Juneteenth). The County’s monthly cafeteria allowances and health insurance subsidies for full-time and eligible part-time employees represented by SEIU Local 721 will increase by two and one-half percent (2.5%) for 2022.
CCU Fringe Benefit MOU Amendment [:]We have concluded negotiations and are submitting an MOU extension for a nine-month term from July 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022. This agreement and corresponding modifications to the County Code provide for changes in the contributions to the Choices Cafeteria Plan, medical plan subsidies for qualified temporary/part-time employees, and the addition of a new County holiday (Juneteenth). The County’s monthly cafeteria allowances and health insurance subsidies for full-time and eligible part-time employees represented by the CCU will increase by two and one-half percent (2.5%) for 2022.
SEIU Local 721 Individual Bargaining Unit Amendments [:] We have reached an agreement with all of the individual bargaining units represented by SEIU Local 721. Therefore, we request your approval of all MOU amendments that provide for a six-month term from October 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022.
Countywide One-time Bonus, COVID Appreciation Bonus, and DHS ‘Hero Pay’ [:] The CCU Fringe and SEIU MOU amendments provide that full-time represented employees will each receive a one-time payment of $1,000 ($500 for part-time). In addition, represented employees meeting specific eligibility criteria will be entitled to a $500 COVID Appreciation Pay, and DHS employees meeting eligibility criteria may qualify for an additional “Hero Pay” bonus up to $650.
Non-Represented Employees [:] In light of these agreements, it is appropriate to extend similar one-time payments, including DHS- specific Hero Pay, to full-time non-represented employees who meet the eligibility requirements. Finally, we are adjusting the dates of uniform allowances for non-represented safety employees to extend through 2021.”
Therefore, the Letter “recommend[s] that the board:
1. Approve the accompanying Fringe Benefits MOU amendment with SEIU Local 721 for a six-month term ending on March 31, 2022.
2. Approve the accompanying Fringe Benefit MOU amendment with CCU for a nine-month term ending on March 31, 2022.
3. Approve related changes as set forth in the accompanying ordinance amending Title 5 – Personnel, and Title 6 – Salaries, of the Los Angeles County Code.
4. Approve a countywide one-time bonus of $1,000 ($500 part-time) and an additional $500 COVID Appreciation Pay for qualifying employees as defined by the Chief Executive Officer.
5. Authorize the DHS use of special funding for a ‘Hero Pay’ bonus for all qualifying DHS employees, up to a maximum of $650.
6. Approve the accompanying ‘no change’ MOU extensions for a six-month term ending March 31, 2022, for the following SEIU Local 721 bargaining units:
Unit 105 – Student Workers
Unit 111 – Clerical and Office Services Employees
Unit 112 – Supervising Clerical and Office Services Employees
Unit 121 – Administrative Technical and Staff Personnel
Unit 122 – Supervising Administrative Technical and Staff Personnel Unit 201 – Building Custodians and Services Employees
Unit 211 – Institutional Support Services Employees
Unit 221 – Paramedical Technical Employees
Unit 222 – Supervising Paramedical Health Employees
Unit 311 – Registered Nurse
Unit 312 – Supervising Registered Nurses
Unit 341 – Health Science Professional Employees
Unit 342 – Supervising Health Science Professional Employees
Unit 431 – Artisan and Blue Collar Employees
Unit 432 – Supervisory Artisan and Blue Collar Employees
Unit 711 – Social Workers
Unit 722 – Medical Social Workers
Unit 723 – Children’s Social Workers
Unit 729 – Health Financial Support Services
Unit 731 – Social Services Investigators
Unit 732 – Supervising Social Services Investigators
Unit 777 – Supervising Social Workers
Unit 811 – Librarians
7. Instruct the Auditor-Controller to make all payroll system changes necessary to implement the recommendations contained herein.”
Now, agenda item 28 of the October 19, 2021 Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors meeting agenda calls for the Board to consider the Letter’s recommendations, and agenda item 46 calls for the Board to consider the accompanying ordinance.
We hope these updates are helpful to you.
Fraternally,
SR Holguin, PC