LOS ANGELES COUNTY : Judge Forces Health Inspectors Back Into Cars
A Los Angeles Superior Court judge Thursday forced hundreds of county health inspectors back into their cars to conduct health inspections, the latest twist in a bitter contract dispute that union officials warn could lead to alarger job action against the county.
Judge Diane Wayne drew fire from union officials by revoking a temporary restraining order preventing the county from suspending inspectors who refuse to drive their vehicles.
“I can assure you this decision is going to cause increased labor unrest,” said union attorney Sylvia E. Kellison.
But Kellison said members of the Los Angeles County Assn. of Environmental Health Inspectors will go back to using their own cars to avoid more suspensions.
Since the job action began Aug. 10, about 50 inspectors have been temporarily suspended.
Without wheels, the inspectors had been bicycling, hopping public transportation and walking to inspect restaurants, markets and other locations.
They have been working without a contract since October, 1992.
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