City Hall Staff Joins Labor Union for Job Security : Government: The action by the 23 employees follows a dispute with the mayor over their work habits. The appearance last month of a ‘hit list’ of people targeted for dismissal increased tensions.

About two dozen City Hall clerical workers and support staff, apparently concerned that a rift with some City Council members may jeopardize their jobs, have joined a service workers union.

The 23 workers voted unanimously last week to join the Service Employees International Union Local 347, an affiliate of the AFL-CIO. The City Council this week appointed two city representatives to handle contract negotiations with the group, which includes such workers as secretaries, administrative aides and telephone operators.

“This is the only way we can stay out of (the council’s) politics,” Assistant City Clerk Margie McCashland said Monday after the council meeting. “We just want to come to work and do our jobs. That is what we are paid to do.”

Some workers have said they are particularly concerned about a recent run-in with Mayor Frank B. Duran, as well as the arrival last month of a cryptic funeral wreath at City Hall draped in black ribbon and decorated with black and white carnations. The wreath contained the message, in gold lettering, “In Loving Memory of (Bell Gardens) Staff.”

At a recent council meeting earlier this month, the mayor chastised employees for coming in late to work and taking long lunches. He said the work habits amount to “stealing” from the city.

The next day, irate employees confronted the mayor as he made his way through City Hall and demanded an explanation.

Duran later shrugged off the incident, describing it as a “very civil and polite conversation” with the workers. At Monday’s council meeting, however, Duran offered an apology to the employees, many of whom were in the audience.

“I care for and respect most of the employees,” he said. “Most of you are honest and dedicated.” As for the few bad apples, Duran said, “they know who they are and they ruin it for everyone else.”

Duran’s statement, however, further agitated some of those at the meeting, who said they thought Duran was making a veiled threat rather than apologizing.

“We shouldn’t have to work under those kinds of conditions and with those kinds of suspicions,” code enforcement inspector Carlos Levario said.

“We have never felt safe since they came to the council,” he said. “Now we can feel a little more security.”

City Manager William Vasquez said that the City Hall employees are hard workers and that he has never had a problem with employees being tardy or taking long breaks.

The employees had briefly considered joining the union last March, when the new City Council took office and sent City Hall into a tailspin by firing several key administrators who had worked with the current staff for years.

“We were hoping things would settle down,” said one employee who asked not to be identified. “But they haven’t. And it seems to be getting worse every day.”

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Tensions increased last month after several incidents at City Hall, including the appearance of a typewritten “hit list” containing names of several employees apparently targeted for dismissal. The list was copied and passed around among City Hall workers.

“It’s not very pleasant to come to work wondering if this is your day to get fired,” said one employee, who pointed out that the list included the name of Assistant City Manager Larry Salazar, who has been fired. Some council members had said they believe that Salazar did not have enough experience for the job.

A similar “hit list” surfaced last fall at City Hall. At the time, Vasquez, the city manager, denounced the list, warning the council in an internal memo that such a document is illegal.

Adding to the insecurity among the workers recently was the arrival of the cryptic funeral wreath at City Hall. Many unnerved employees asked to take the remainder of the day off.

Councilman George T. Deitch later acknowledged that his wife, Vivian, had sent the wreath. Deitch apologized, saying the florist had made a mistake and sent the wreath instead of a Valentine floral arrangement.

But the owner of the Bell Gardens Flower Shop said he delivered exactly what had been ordered. “I’ve been in this business 30 years, and I don’t make mistakes,” said Pablo Tun. “It’s not the first time someone sent a joke that backfired.”

After Monday’s meeting, Duran said he did not think the union was necessary but he added, “If they want it, we’ll give them what they want.”

But Councilwomen Josefina (Josie) Macias and Rosa Hernandez praised the employees.

“I’m proud of you for bringing the union to the city,” Macias said. “You need to work harmoniously and to know that you are not in danger of getting fired.”

The council appointed Vasquez and Personnel Director Mike Martinet to represent the city in contract negotiations. Both officials said they were dismayed at the move to unionize, pointing out that employees are already protected from arbitrary dismissal by city personnel guidelines.