DWP Expenses During Strike

Much has been said in the media about the investigation into the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s expenditure of $800,000 to feed supervisors during the recent strike--an expenditure of about $120 per person per day.

But not much has been written about the $225,480 that was reportedly spent “to videotape picket lines.”

As a professional video producer and director, I can tell you that hiring an experienced cameraman with a broadcast-quality camera costs between $750 and $1,100 per day.

Assuming that the DWP required broadcast-quality video, and that the personnel and equipment hired were on the higher end of the cost scale, $225,480 would buy you more than 200 days of video shooting--not including discounts for such a major contract.

If the DWP is willing to spend money at this rate, please let me know where to sign up as vendor.

STEVE MILLER

Van Nuys

*

Referring to the ongoing controversy about the exorbitant expenses incurred by the 260 (or so) managers/supervisors when they kept, one way or another, the power going during the workers’ strike, one question pops up: If 260 men can keep the DWP going (although by working long hours and, in some cases, with a few snags, helped by “foods for the chosen few,” why do they need more than 3,700 people full time?

Perhaps, with some rational pruning, better organization and a lot less featherbedding, let us say, 2,700 good men and women, with the good pay they are getting, could do the job as well. Of course, it is not intended to lay off all the excess personnel, but natural attrition through voluntary resignations, transfers and retirement should be able to achieve this goal of creating a lean machine in not too long a time.

N. LAY

Canoga Park

*

News item: “Tainted Food Made Managers Sick During DWP Strike” (Sept. 30).

Well, it made me sick, and undoubtedly a lot of other people, to read that these creeps had run up a daily food bill that averaged more than $120 a person.

Words can’t express the disgust I feel for those who gorge themselves at the public trough.

G.C. MONTOYA

Los Angeles

*

My kids and husband take their lunches in a lunch box every day. How odd that DWP management should expect catered breakfasts and lunches.

CHERYL CALVERT

Malibu