COUNCIL TO CONSIDER FORCED UNION CONTRACT.

Byline: RICK ORLOV Staff Writer

Seeking to avert a threatened job action, the City Council today will consider a proposal that would force a contract settlement with the 8,000- member Engineers and Architects Association, which is demanding wage parity with the DWP.

With the backing of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, the council will consider a proposal to extend a memorandum of understanding that has been given to other civilian unions. The agreement would give EAA members raises of 2 percent, retroactive to July 1, 2005; another 2 percent on July 1, 2006; and 2.25 percent in January 2007.

``We are proposing the council implement the memorandum of understanding,'' City Administrative Officer Bill Fujioka said. ``We have gone through impasse, fact-finding and every other legal requirement. We feel the members have not been given the whole story and hope this will resolve the issue.''

However, Bob Aquino, general manager of the EAA, said the council's action will not affect his union's plans to begin a series of work actions beginning Aug. 22.

``What it means, they will be paying my members when they are out on strike,'' Aquino said. ``It will make my members even angrier when they see it takes the threat of a strike to get the city to pay us some attention.''

Aquino said his members want the same contract that was negotiated with the Department of Water and Power, whose workers will get a 3.25 percent raise annually for five years, with the option of a 6 percent boost, based on inflation.

Villaraigosa sent a letter to all department heads and municipal workers, saying management respects their right to demonstrate, but would not tolerate threats or a disruption in city services.

Fujioka said his office has received complaints from some EAA members that they have been threatened with retaliation if they do not participate in work actions.

``We are working hard to tell everyone that workers do have the right to demonstrate and we are hearing the union is threatening its workers,'' Fujioka said.

Aquino denied Fujioka's assertion, and said there is widespread dissatisfaction with the city offer.

rick.orlov(at)dailynews.com

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