FEDERATION BACKS FUTURE STRIKE BY UNION SUPPORT STRENGTHENS EAA'S BARGAINING STANCE WITH CITY.

Byline: RICK ORLOV Staff Writer

Looking to strengthen its bargaining position with the city, a union that staged a two-day walkout this summer received support Tuesday for a possible future strike from the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO.

``This is a major step for us,'' said Bob Aquino, executive director of the Engineers and Architects Association. ``What it says is that when we strike again, all the other unions in the city -- from the longshoremen at the port to the Teamsters at the airports -- will be walking out with us.''

The support comes months after members of the EAA walked off the job to get higher raises as part of their city contract.

The EAA represents some 10,000 employees in a variety of city agencies, mostly within the Bureau of Sanitation, accounting and the Los Angeles Police Department crime lab.

During its walkout in late August, an estimated 1,600 workers went on strike the first day and another 1,000 on the second day. But the union failed to gain concessions from the city.

Aquino said his union never agreed to the city offer that amounts to 6 1/4 percent raises over three years, with no increase the first year. The City Council voted to impose the contract after negotiations reached an impasse.

Tuesday's support by the powerful federation gives the EAA authorization to strike to resolve the ongoing dispute with the city.

``The labor movement strongly believes in the fundamental right of a worker to go on strike when absolutely necessary,'' said Maria Elena- Durazo, executive secretary-treasurer of the labor group.

Aquino said the support could broaden any future job action by the EAA, adding, ``But that's not something we want. We hope cooler heads will prevail and the city will work out a fair deal with us.''

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has no plans to renew contract talks with the union, a spokesman said.

``At this point, we aren't sure what purpose this all serves,'' Matt Szabo said. ``The members represented by EAA received their raises, which are retroactive to 2004. Their contract expires next June, and we hope to begin negotiations with them on that beginning this spring. We look forward to that process beginning.''

Szabo said the mayor believes EAA workers, who are paid an average of more than $70,000 a year, are adequately compensated.

Aquino has said he wants his members to receive the same contract given to Department of Water and Power workers. That deal included raises of 3 1/4 percent a year for five years and a clause that indexes the raises to the inflation rate.

``We are in a posture that a strike could happen at any time,'' Aquino said. ``And we won't be as courteous the next time we go out where we gave the city notice of our plans. It's not something we want to see happen, but we will go out if we have to.''

rick.orlov(at)dailynews.com

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