L.A. Workers on Strike

ByABC News
October 11, 2000, 8:34 AM

L O S A N G E L E S, Oct. 11 -- About 42,000 county workers walked out on strike this morning, compounding the dilemmas for residents of Los Angeles, where the transit workers have been on strike for 26 days.

Although Superior Court Judge Dzintra Janavs on Tuesday issued atemporary restraining order to keep about 5,000 nurses, coronersand other medical employees from joining the strike, there were reports of nurses calling in sick this morning, said Bart Diener, the Assistant General Manager of the Service Employees International Union, Local 660.

Certainly the union is abiding by the judges decision, but it is each nurses decision, Diener said. Ive heard theres a lot of people calling in sick.

He said he was unsure how many nurses called in sick this morning and said the information remained anecdotal.

Wide Impact ForeseenThe massive walkout was expected to hinder operations at a number of departments, including jails, libraries, animal services and marriage licenses.

Judy Hammond, a spokeswoman for Los Angeles County, said the largest impacts are expected to be in medical areas as well as the registrar and recorders office.

Yesterday was the last day to register to vote [before the presidential election]. It may jeopardize the election if this continues, she said.

The strike will also delay the recording of thousands of deeds of homeowners trying to close escrow, as well as the recording of birth and death certificates.

Hammond said the real impact of the strike would not be known until later in the day when county officials are able to compile the numbers and more information.

The union had staged one-day walkouts since last week todemonstrate the potential effects of a general strike. Hammond said those actions helped in some way to give an indication of where problems may arise during the general strike.

15.5 Percent Raise Sought

County and union negotiators had agreed late Tuesday to resumetalks for the first time since Sept. 29. But the late-nightbargaining session did not avert todays strike. The unionwants 15.5 percent raises over three years; the county has offereda 9 percent increase.