Measure A

Los Angeles County Charter Amendment Good Faith Negotiation and Impartial Binding Arbitration

Measure A would amend the Los Angeles County Charter to prohibit strikes by district attorney investigators, medical examiners, and lifeguards; their supervisors; and nonadministrative civilian employees working in the Fire Department, Sheriff's Department, and the Department of Medical Examiner, reiterate existing legal obligations for good faith negotiations, and establish an impartial binding arbitration process for resolving labor disputes with certified public safety employee organizations representing County employees including firefighters, sheriffs, and the abovementioned employees, as specified in the charter amendment ordinance. 

Measure A requires approval by a majority of voters voting on the measure to pass.

Fiscal Impact: This measure does not directly affect County revenues. With respect to expenditures, this measure will primarily result in two areas of potential impact. The first involves direct administrative costs of arbitration, including arbitrator fees, legal fees, and staff support, which could total tens of thousands to millions of dollars depending on the complexity and duration of the arbitration. The second and more significant fiscal impact of the measure involves the transfer of final authority over covered employee compensation, benefits, and conditions of employment to a Board of Arbitrators.

Next Los Angeles County Measure: Measure E

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Background

Historically, when the time comes to execute a new contract for public-employee unions, there is an often protracted, sometimes bitter push-pull process. Labor negotiators generally seek pay increases and improved benefits. Their government counterparts often aim for a deal that protects county coffers.

Reaching the stage at which supervisors mandate terms is rare. A February LA Times story noted that the county said it has imposed contract terms only twice in the last quarter-century.

Proposal

If approved, Measure A would require binding arbitration between county government and negotiators representing sheriff’s deputies, firefighters, lifeguards and other public safety workers if contract talks reach an impasse and no compromise can be reached.

It would alter the current last step, in which county supervisors can impose a final offer that these employees must accept — by law, public safety personnel cannot strike.

Source: LA Times: Your guide to L.A. County Charter Amendment A: Binding arbitration and Measure A Impartial Analysis

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