County Health Center Conditions Protested

Saying they are fed up with falling ceiling tiles, ankle-deep water in the X-ray room and overflowing toilets, employees and patients picketed the county health center in Canoga Park on Thursday.

The union that organized the lunchtime picketing said it was the first of what will be weekly demonstrations until county officials address long-standing complaints.

“The employees are going to be out here each week until the county gets embarrassed enough about it,” said Michael Pirkkala, a business agent for the Service Employees International Union. The union represents about 40,000 county health-care providers, including 30 at the center.

County health officials have acknowledged for years that the clinic’s conditions are among the worst in the San Fernando Valley, but they say a lack of money has prevented improvements.