Los Angeles City Local Unions ratify layoff avoidance agreement

After months of fighting against layoffs, we have done it! We successfully navigated a significant budgetary crisis that initially threatened over 1,750 layoffs — including approximately 700 within AFSCME.

Our members of AFSCME Local 741, 901, 2006, 2626, 3090, and 3672 voted overwhelmingly to ratify a layoff avoidance agreement.

When the City revealed a $1 billion shortfall earlier this year, AFSCME District Council 36, along with other LA City Coalition unions, immediately began fighting to protect jobs, City services, and our members’ ability to support themself and their family. We worked with the Mayor’s office and City Councilmembers in an effort to find ways to save the City money while avoiding layoffs and service reductions, and this agreement is the culmination of all our hard work.

This agreement pursues new endeavors to increase City revenues. If the City is unable to attain enough savings, employees would take up to five (5) of the following unpaid holidays, as a last option:

• Monday, February 9, 2026 (the day after Super Bowl Sunday)
• Friday, March 27, 2026 (the day before the Cesar Chavez Holiday)
• Monday, April 6, 2026 (contained in a no deduction pay period)
• Friday, May 22, 2026 (the day before Memorial Day Holiday)
• Monday, June 22, 2026 (the day after Juneteenth Holiday)

If the City generates the necessary savings through transfers, retirements, etc., then the number of unpaid holidays will be reduced, and potentially no unpaid holidays will be needed.

This is an incredible achievement for us in this moment. However, we still have important work ahead. We must now turn our attention to the future. There are decisions being made at the federal level affecting us all. So, city leadership and LA City unions must continue to work together to ensure that City employees are protected beyond this fiscal year and Angelenos continue to receive the services they rely on.