L.A. Could Impose Union Contract

The Los Angeles City Council could impose new contract terms on the Engineers and Architects Assn. as soon as today, a move that would give a retroactive pay raise to the 8,000-members of a union that is preparing to stage a strike next week.

The implementation of a three-year contract offer, covering 2004 through 2007, would be the latest chapter in one of Los Angeles’ most bitter and longest-running labor disputes.

The union hasn’t had a contract since 2004, when negotiations with the city broke off. City officials said the proposed move would send a clear message that they will not negotiate with the union, which has a reputation for dramatic and confrontational tactics.

The union has threatened to stage a two-day strike, starting next Tuesday, and conduct “additional actions which will disrupt the city thoroughly on those days,” according to a posting earlier this month on the union website.

The union’s members include professional, administrative and technical workers in every city department. Among them are forensic staff in the Police Department crime lab, 911 operators, staffers at sewage processing plants and operations superintendents at Los Angeles International and Ontario airports.

City officials have long argued that the contract -- which was their final offer to the union -- is in line with those accepted by other unions that represent civilian city workers.

If implemented, the contract would provide retroactive wage increases of 4% and an additional 2.25% next year. The retroactive increases reflect raises of 0% in 2004, 2% in 2005 and 2% as of July 2006.

Union members have said the raises fail to keep up with the cost of living, and have demanded that the city provide a contract more in line with those given to Department of Water and Power workers and police officers.

Nevertheless, Robert Aquino, executive director of the Engineers and Architects Assn., said the union would not oppose the contract’s implementation, considering it a floor from which higher raises could be negotiated.

“It’s amazing to me,” he said of the possibility of a proposed city implementation. “Why would I oppose it? It’s giving my members raises, and we don’t give up any of our bargaining position.”

Aquino said the union would continue with the strike, suggesting that it might last longer than two days.

According to city statistics, the average union member makes $73,000, about $10,000 more than the average city employee.

The City Council will consider the matter today, but it was not clear whether a vote would take place. There is some support on the council for the action.

“I think the mayor has been fair and firm with this union, and I expect the council to back him up,” Councilman Jack Weiss said.

Council President Eric Garcetti predicted that the union would make good on plans to walk off the job next week.