Local 1520 President Andrew Perry Shares Thoughts on the Cerritos Labor Negotiations

Dear Editor,

I am the president of the AFSCME Local representing employees of the neighboring City of Artesia.  I attended the to show support to my fellow union brothers and sisters.  

Cerritos employees felt they were already close to an end of negotiations, and wished to extend negotiations until they came to a mutual agreement.  Three councilmembers, and management, did not want a mutual agreement and instead wished to seek a vague sense of "closure" and conclude the negotiations prematurely.  In other words, a few people selfishly sought closure at the expense of everyone else's.  Needless to say, the net gain of "closure" was exceedingly small.

Naturally, we were disappointed in the Council's decision to impose an impasse and conclude negotiations prematurely.  Their decision to do so has made a clear statement to us all.  Employees in Cerritos can expect from both management, and at least three councilmembers (, Mayor Pro Tem Jim Edwards, and Councilmember Bruce Barrows), a climate of cool indifference toward their own employees; and a willingness to make decisions without the counsel of their own workforce. 

Whether intended or not, the April 28 council meeting felt like a power play.  Employees, who had a personal stake in the Council's decision, showed up en masse.  Some even brought their children, thinking that the council would conduct the meeting with the consideration of those attending.  We were wrong.  Even Congresswoman Linda Sanchez, who stood up for almost four hours waiting patiently for her turn, was wrong!  If I didn't think people were inherently good, I'd almost be tempted to say the Council wanted to send a message that they didn't care.

Every public meeting that I've ever attended pushed controversial agenda items to the beginning of the meeting so people can have a chance to speak to their Council and leave.  Instead, we waited almost four hours as the Council methodically plodded through their items!

At 10:30 p.m., when we were finally allowed to speak, Congresswoman Sanchez went first.  Despite the thinly veiled look of disgust at the proceedings of the meeting, her words were utterly reasonable.  She simply asked that the Council vote to finish the negotiations because they were so close, and she volunteered her services.  She finally added that this particular council meeting was a poor display of democracy; as she watched many people (some with children) leave as the hours dragged on, unable to voice their opinion.

I'd like to thank Councilmembers and , who voted in favor of extending negotiations.  I'm also grateful for the patience of Congresswoman Sanchez, and for her gracious words that reflected perfectly the thoughts of all who attended.

Sincerely,

Andrew Perry

President, AFSCME Local 1520