Los Angeles
Thousands of Los Angeles city employees embarked on a 24-hour strike demanding higher wages and denouncing alleged unfair labour practices. The strike, organised by SEIU Local 721, encompassed various roles including sanitation workers, lifeguards, and traffic officers. Picket lines emerged early at sites like Los Angeles International Airport, while a substantial rally gathered at City Hall later in the morning. The union claimed that over 11,000 LA city workers participated, including mechanics, engineers, and airport custodians.
SEIU Local 721 justified the strike by citing the city’s failure to engage in sincere negotiations and its imposition of labour practices that restricted both employee and union rights. This marks the latest in a series of strikes to impact Los Angeles, with Hollywood writers and actors, hotel workers, and school staff having engaged in protests in recent months. Even southern California ports experienced contract disputes.
Hollywood writers
Over 11,000 writers guild of America (WGA) members staged a strike, their first since 2008, to protest inadequate pay in the streaming era. They demand fair compensation, increased residuals, set staffing regulations for TV shows, and payment during all production stages, highlighting the issue of unpaid revisions and content creation.
Mumbai
In a separate labour development, drivers associated with wet lease operators in contract with Mumbai’s Brihanmumbai electric supply transport (BEST) ended their seven-day strike. The decision came after a meeting with Eknath Shinde, chief minister, who acceded to several of their demands. These drivers operate a total of 1,671 wet lease buses, and by the end of Tuesday, 90% of them had returned to service. The drivers’ requests included salary increases, paid leaves, annual bonuses, free bus passes, and potential consideration for permanent employment with BEST.
As negotiations progress and demands are met, the scenario is anticipated to stabilise. While some drivers remain sceptical and await written assurances, most have recommenced their duties. The broader context of labour unrest in both Los Angeles and Mumbai underscores the widespread challenges faced by workers striving for improved conditions and recognition of their rights.
