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 September 15, 2021 Los Angeles City Council meeting agenda. There is one item in particular that could impact you.
1. Workers Who Could Be Impacted: City of LA Employees
On August 19, 2021, the City’s Chief Legislative Analyst sent a Report to the City Council entitled “Follow Up Activity COVID-19 Impact on Working Women.”
The Report provided in part, “[t]he COVID-19 pandemic has affected the labor force nationwide and underscores the particular challenge women face in balancing family and work responsibilities. Before the pandemic, women accounted for more than half of the nation’s workforce, reflecting their importance in the economy. A number of recent reports demonstrate that women have been significantly impacted during the economic downturn. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 2.2 million fewer women in the labor force in October 2020 than there were in October 2019. Women are highly represented in many of the hardest-hit employment sectors, such as education, hospitality and leisure, healthcare, and service industry. The closure of childcare centers and the shift to remote learning for students have also caused many mothers to make the difficult decision between working and caring for their young children. A recent survey by the U.S. Census Bureau noted that one in five women became unemployed during the pandemic due to the lack of childcare.
According to a report by the American Sociological Association, the long term impacts of the pandemic will likely result in greater inequality between men and women in occupational attainment, lifetime earnings, and economic independence.” Leaving the workplace diminishes an individual’s ability to gain new knowledge and experience, establish tenure, and develop professional relationships, all of which are critical to earning promotion and an increase in pay…
On April 20, 2021, the City Council adopted a Chief Legislative Analyst (CLA) report concerning the pandemic’s impact on working women with respect to childcare issues, paid leave policies, and the potential long-term consequences of women leaving the workplace for an extended period…This report provides the status of the recommendations approved by the Council including 1) the development of a survey to assess the impact of COVID-19 on women in the City’s workforce; 2) the development of a Management Academy to increase gender equity within the City’s management classifications; 3) updating the City’s remote work policies; 4) a progress update on ‘The Status of Women and Girls in Los Angeles’ report by the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW); 5) recommendations to address the impact of COVID-19 on women in the private sector; and, 6) the development of an Equity Fund for Women Entrepreneurs to support women starting their own businesses within the City.”
Therefore, the Report recommends “[t]hat the City Council: 1. Instruct the Personnel Department to report to Council on the survey findings relative to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the City’s workforce. 2. Authorize the Personnel Department to release a Request for Proposals to initiate a Women’s Management Academy as outlined in this report, and coordinate with the Chief Legislative Analyst to identify a funding source for Council consideration and approval. 3. Instruct the Economic and Workforce Development Department to assess, share, and promote family-friendly workplace policies and business tools on its website and Business Source Centers to encourage adoption by local businesses.”
On August 24, 2021, the City Council’s Ad Hoc on COVID-19 Recovery and Neighborhood Investment Committee considered a Report. “During the discussion on the matter, the Committee Chair offered amendments for the Committee’s consideration. After providing an opportunity for public comment, the Committee recommended approving the…report, as amended…This matter is now submitted to the Council for consideration.”
The Report’s amended recommendations for Council action include “1. I[nstruct] the Personnel Department to report to the Council on the survey findings relative to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the City’s workforce. 2. A[uthorize] the Personnel Department, to release a Request for Proposal to initiate a Women’s Management Academy as outlined in the subject Chief Legislative Analyst (CLA) report, dated August 19, 2021…3. I[nstruct] the Economic and Workforce Development Department (EWDD) to create a website called WomenAtWorkLA.com that could serve as a guideline for private sector businesses looking to adopt family-friendly policies, including a business toolkit and other resources for businesses; the website should be promoted through the City’s BusinessSource Center and the City should encourage local businesses to adopt these policies, as amended. 4. I[nstruct] the EWDD to create an Office of Workplace Equity and Diversity and to work with the City Administrative Officer (CAO) and the CLA to report back on positions and funding needed to launch the office, as amended.”
Now, agenda item 3 of the September 15, 2021 Los Angeles City Council meeting calls for the Council to consider the amended report.
We hope these updates are helpful to you.
Fraternally,
SR Holguin, PC