Congresswoman Solis Named Labor Secretary

Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO Executive Secretary-Treasurer Maria Elena Durazo issued the following statement today on President-elect Barack Obama’s selection of Congresswoman Hilda Solis as Secretary of Labor.

Full Story

The Labor Task Force for Universal Healthcare Invites You to an In-depth Labor to Labor Speakers Training

Health care reform is one of Labor’s top priorities. We want universal coverage that is affordable and sustainable, health care security, coverage, quality care that assures patient choice of providers and more. With the new Obama administration, labor needs to be prepared to weigh in and advocate for universal health care as a necessity in troubled economic times. Our workers, co-workers and communities will provide the power we need to be heard and stand behind our vision of true health care reform that does not rely on the health insurance industry.

Full Story

LAX Hilton Workers File Class Action Lawsuit against Hotel for Allegedly Denying Workers Their State Mandated Meal and Rest Periods

Hotel workers filed a class action lawsuit against their employer, the LAX Hilton, for alleged violations of California law, including denying employees the meal and rest breaks that are required under the California Labor Code.

Full Story

Los Angeles FedEx Workers Testify Before Blue Ribbon Commission Panel

On December 16th, FedEx workers testified  before a Blue Ribbon Commission panel saying that they are on the verge of slipping from the middle class because of dwindling benefits, higher out-of-pocket medical costs and an overall decline in workplace conditions.

Full Story

L.A. County Federation of Labor Issues Endorsements for March 3rd Election

Labor joins environmental community in supporting solar measure for cleaner air

On December 15th the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO’s delegate body issued their endorsements for the upcoming March 3rd election. Endorsements were made on local measures and seats ranging from the Los Angeles City Council to the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Among those measures endorsed was Measure B: Green Energy and Good Jobs for Los Angeles. The measure will require and empower the Los Angeles Department of Power (DWP) to implement the nation’s most aggressive solar energy plan, reducing the city’s reliance on fossil fuels with 400 megawatts of solar power by 2014. When fully implemented, this plan will remove 400,000 tons of greenhouse gases from our air. According to the Coalition for Clean Air (CCA), breathing air in polluted metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles can reduce life expectancy by 7 to 10 years and significantly increase the risk for cancer. Every child living in polluted areas suffers decreased lung function and is more likely to develop asthma.

“The working men and women of the Los Angeles labor movement recognize the importance of working with the environmental community to support a measure that helps clean-up our air while at the same time creating good green jobs,” said Maria Elena Durazo, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO. “It’s these kinds of partnerships that will result in a cleaner environment and a new economic base with green-collar jobs Angelino’s can raise their families on.”

The Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO joins the Coalition for Clean Air, the Los Angeles chapters of the Sierra Club, League of Conservation Voters, Conservation Corps, Apollo Alliance, Pacoima Beautiful and Communities for a Better Environment who last Friday announced their support for this measure.

Below is a list of other labor endorsed candidates and measures on the March 3rd ballot. Delegates representing over 350 Los Angeles County Federation of Labor affiliated unions made their selection based on several factors including a candidate’s position and or voting record on issues such as the right to organize, health care and their stance on sustaining and creating good middle class jobs in Los Angeles.

Click here for endorsements

Full Story