LA workers rally as budget cuts threaten 1,650 jobs

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Social media
29 Apr 2025 13:19

Protests erupt at Los Angeles City Hall and beyond as unions fight back against massive layoffs and labor rights violations amid the city's deepening financial crisis.

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Union worker Cindy Vasquez, right, of Los Angeles joins teachers and other public sector workers as they rally in solidarity with Wisconsin workers outside Los Angeles City Hall in Los Angeles, Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011. (AP)

Hundreds of Los Angeles City Hall workers rallied on Tuesday to protest Mayor Karen Bass’ proposal to lay off 1,650 employees in response to a staggering $1 billion budget deficit.

Gathering outside City Hall, demonstrators voiced outrage over the proposed cuts, which they argue would devastate essential city services and further strain already stretched departments. Workers carried signs reading “Protect Our Jobs” and “Save Our Services,” while union leaders called for immediate negotiations to find alternatives to mass layoffs.

The rally coincides with a broader wave of labor unrest in Los Angeles County. More than 55,000 unionized county employees, represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), launched a two-day strike over alleged labor violations, adding significant pressure on local government authorities already grappling with financial instability.

Union leaders denounce proposed cuts

Union officials criticized the mayor’s proposal as a short-sighted response to the city's budget challenges.

“Laying off thousands of workers is not a solution — it’s a recipe for disaster,” said one SEIU spokesperson during the rally. “Our communities depend on the vital services these workers provide, from sanitation and public safety to parks and public health.”

HAPPENING NOW: Los Angeles City Hall workers rally against the mayor’s proposal to lay off 1,650 employees amid a $1 billion budget deficit.

The protest comes as over 55,000 unionized LA County employees, represented by SEIU, commence a two-day strike against labor violations. pic.twitter.com/1HIIDfumvR
— BreakThrough News (@BTnewsroom) April 28, 2025

The SEIU has accused the city and county of engaging in unfair labor practices, citing stalled contract negotiations and unilateral changes to working conditions. The union’s strike action is expected to impact a wide range of services, including health clinics, social services offices, and maintenance operations.

City officials cite dire fiscal outlook

City officials have defended the proposed layoffs, pointing to the massive budget shortfall created by a combination of pandemic-related revenue losses, rising pension obligations, and increased costs for homelessness programs.

Mayor Bass has called the layoffs a “painful but necessary” step to stabilize the city's finances. In a statement, her office emphasized efforts to minimize impacts on critical services and explore possible reassignment opportunities for affected employees.

“We are committed to working with our labor partners to navigate this unprecedented fiscal challenge while maintaining our essential commitments to the residents of Los Angeles,” the mayor's office said.

Growing labor tensions in Los Angeles

SEIU representatives indicated that further actions could follow if negotiations with city and county officials fail to yield progress.

“The workers who kept Los Angeles running during the pandemic deserve respect, not pink slips,” one union leader said.

Negotiations are ongoing as city leaders face mounting calls to rethink their budget strategies without sacrificing public sector jobs critical to maintaining daily life in the nation’s second-largest city.