Los Angeles County Labor Movement Stands in Support of Los Angeles City Mayor Karen Bass
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DetailsJanuary 23, 2025
For Immediate Release -
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LOS ANGELES, CA – Dozens of labor leaders representing thousands of union members
across Los Angeles County gathered this morning for a press conference to express
their strong support for Mayor Karen Bass.
“We are here to express the LA County Labor movement’s unequivocal and strong
support for Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass,” said Yvonne Wheeler, President of the Los
Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, “when workers across Los Angeles are
fighting for better wages, benefits, and protections, Mayor Bass has championed their
cause and defended workers’ rights to demand better.”
Frank Lima, the General Secretary-Treasurer of the International Association of
Firefighters, spoke in support of Mayor Bass and provided context regarding fire
department funding.
“I want to be very clear: just like the homelessness crisis, the fire department has
endured decades of disinvestment. This mayor has worked to strengthen both the city
and the department since she took office,” Lima stated. “As firefighters, we support her
in making this department and this city stronger.”
David Green, the President and Executive Director of Service Employees International
Union (SEIU) Local 721, which represents more than 100,000 workers, including LA
City and County Employees, discussed the direct effects of the wildfires on workers.
“Already, we were so impressed by the heroism of our firefighters and first responders –
and we still are, but now, we have also witnessed thousands of ordinary people doing
whatever they could – however they could – to make things better,” said Green.
“We are thankful to all of the elected officials who have stepped up during this crisis –
especially Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass,” Green added, “SEIU 721 members are
ready to work with Mayor Bass’s operation and her new initiatives to accelerate and get
this rebuild done fast.”
Max Arias, the Executive Director for Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
Local 99, representing nearly 50,000 public and private sector education workers,
including the Los Angeles Unified School District, also offered comments supporting
Mayor Bass and her commitment to education workers.
“When SEIU 99 members at LAUSD led the largest education strike in US history,
Mayor Bass stood with workers, brought district leadership to the table, and ensured
they negotiated in good faith,” Arias said, “there are we those in our city who will try and
use this moment to undermine our Mayor. Those who will use the moment to undermine
public services and skirt regulations. We stand in defense of Mayor Bass and our City.”
“There is much to be done to ensure a just and equitable recovery,” Arias added, “we
have schools to reopen, children to get to class, and a city to rebuild. Let’s allow our
Mayor to do what she does best: lead our city.”
President Wheeler concluded the press conference by reaffirming the LA Labor
movement’s support of Mayor Bass and commitment to rebuilding following the
wildfires.
“The LA Labor movement appreciates her leadership and is grateful that she continues
to guide this great city through unprecedented times,” Wheeler stated, “our movement
knows that Mayor Bass will always heed the call to action when workers are in need.
We stand united in our support for Mayor Karen Bass.”
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About Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO
Since 1885, the LA Fed has been a force for progress. We are a federation of over 300 affiliated union and labor organizations representing more than 800,000 members, each with their own unique stories and backgrounds. We stand united in our mission to build a movement for justice committed to protecting the rights of working people and improving the lives of our families and communities.