EAA THREATENS A MASSIVE STRIKE IF RAISE NOT OK'D.Byline: KERRY CAVANAUGH Staff Writer The Engineers & Architects Association warned Wednesday that it could unleash a crippling strike if the City Council and mayor don't reconsider raising wages for the union's 7,400 workers. The union -- which represents land surveyors, crime lab and veterinary technicians and other white-collar workers white-collar workers, broad occupational grouping of workers engaged in nonmanual labor; frequently contrasted with blue-collar (manual) employees. American in origin, the term has close analogues in other industrial countries. -- held a two-day walkout in August that had little impact on city business. Since then, however, the EAA EAA Experimental Aircraft Association EAA European Aluminium Association (Brussels, Belgium) EAA European Acoustics Association EAA Export Administration Act EAA Everglades Agricultural Area EAA European Association of Archaeologists has received a strike sanction from the Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. County Federation of Labor so other unions -- including the Teamsters Teamsters large, powerful union of U. S. truckers. [Am. Hist.: NCE, 2703] See : Labor and longshore long·shore adj. Occurring, living, or working along a seacoast. [Short for alongshore.] workers -- could refuse to cross the picket lines if the EAA walks out again. ``We don't want to use this powerful tool,'' EAA Executive Director Robert Aquino told the council. ``This process has drug on long enough. We're willing to sit down 24-7 to work out the remaining issues. Our patience is running out.'' But City Administrative Officer Bill Fujioka said the union received the same contract as other city civilian unions. ``If they make a formal request, we will go back to the table,'' he said. ``We'll be happy to talk about future contracts, but the current contract is implemented.'' The union has sought higher wages similar to increases offered to Department of Water and Power and county employees. After an impasse in contract talks this summer, the council voted to impose a contract that amounts to 6 1/4 percent raises over three years, with no increase the first year. ``A strike at this point would serve no purpose because the terms have already been implemented, and substantial raises have been granted. The mayor looks forward to beginning negotiations on a new contract in the spring of 2007 when the city considers all of their civilian contracts,'' said Matt Szabo, spokesman for the Mayor's Office. ``The mayor respects the rights of workers to organize and to strike, but public safety remains the No.1 priority,'' Szabo said. ``The mayor will take all necessary steps to protect critical city services The examples and perspective in this article or section may represent an unduly geographically limited view of the subject. Please [ improve this article] or discuss the issue on the talk page. in the event of a future work action.'' EAA workers packed the council meeting early Wednesday morning, forcing the fire marshal fire marshal n. 1. The head of a department or office that is charged with the prevention and investigation of fires. 2. A person in charge of firefighting personnel and equipment at an industrial plant. Noun 1. to block some city staffers from entering the chambers. Aquino said the union would give the city more time to negotiate before its members launch an unannounced, citywide strike. ``Last time we were very genteel gen·teel adj. 1. Refined in manner; well-bred and polite. 2. Free from vulgarity or rudeness. 3. Elegantly stylish: genteel manners and appearance. 4. a. ,'' he said. ``We advised the city. No such gentility will be offered this time.'' kerry.cavanaugh(at)dailynews.com (213) 978-0390 |
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