140 L.A. parks workers face layoffs
The Los Angeles city parks department plans to lay off nearly 140 temporary workers and reduce hours for hundreds more, cutbacks that union officials argued Wednesday will lead to dirtier restrooms, unkempt playgrounds and reduced security at Griffith Observatory.
The job cuts began in September and will continue this week, focused primarily on part-time workers across the city who maintain ball fields and recreation centers. Some temporary security workers at the observatory and staff members at preschool and after-school programs will also be let go or have their hours reduced, officials said.
Jon Kirk Mukri, general manager of the city Recreation and Parks Department, said he postponed the cutbacks -- which were included in the budget approved in May -- until after the department’s busy summer season. But with $3 million cut from funds for temporary workers, Mukri said the layoffs were unavoidable
“This was not an easy decision . . . these employees are the lifeblood of the city,” Mukri said.
The effect will be felt immediately, he said. Restrooms at many city parks will be cleaned only once day, instead of twice a day. Some programs at recreation centers probably will be eliminated, and maintenance and trash pickup will be reduced at ball fields and other athletic facilities, he said.
Mukri, however, disputed assertions by union officials that sandboxes at city playgrounds will become “hazardous” or security will be cut back at Griffith Observatory, saying the sandboxes will be raked daily and park rangers will fill in for temporary security workers.
Sonia Canales of Inglewood was among the part-time employees who appealed to Los Angeles City Council members Wednesday to stop the layoffs.
“I’ve been working hard for so many years,” said Canales, who told council members she is a single mother who depends on her income as a temporary maintenance worker at Westwood Park.
“That’s my only support. It’s my only job,” Canales said.
Councilman Tom LaBonge, chairman of the council’s Arts, Parks, Health and Aging Committee, said he was sympathetic to the employees. LaBonge said the council will hold a hearing on the cuts later this month.
Mukri said he has no choice but to continue with the cutbacks until the council can find additional funding.
“I can’t spend money I don’t have,” he said, noting that he is concerned the cuts may be more severe next year.
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