Through hard-fought bargaining, Local 910 has won and ratified a new contract with the County of Los Angeles.

Los Angeles County is one of the largest employers in the state of California with about 100,000 employees, most of which are represented by unions. So, negotiating against an experienced employer can be difficult, which was the case for the AFSCME Local 910 bargaining team. However, the bargaining team members used their knowledge, skills, and experience as attorneys to negotiate a fair contract.

Members of Local 910 stood united throughout six months of negotiations, even in the face of attempts by management to undercut them. “Management argued to shorten our [negotiating] time, as being the last unit bargaining, but we successfully argued against it, and demanded equal treatment and good faith negotiations,” said Ty Tasker, president of AFSCME Local 910.

The Local bargaining team was able to secure strong financial wins in the new contract. The 2-year contract includes a 4 percent and 2 percent wage increase. In addition to wage increases, members will receive a $3,000 COVID appreciation bonus, a $2,000 signing bonus, and up to $5,000 for student loan reimbursement.

In addition to financial gains, the contract clarifies that a general grievance is authorized for employees to take complaints about excessive workloads to the CEO. It also contains stronger language about management providing adequate coverage for employees being off from work for various reasons. These changes ensure much needed relief from overwork caused by short staffing.

While they’re proud of the gains they’ve achieved, AFSCME Local 910 members will continue to fight for better working conditions. “I’m extremely proud of our bargaining team, as well as our members who showed up to negotiations and supported the union, but we’re not done yet,” said Tasker. “There are still other issues that we are negotiating on, and we will continue to fight to improve the working conditions that are important to our members.”