Council backs union...new Retirement Board elections to proceed

On Dec. 10, the Los Angeles City Council voted 13-0 to direct the City Attorney NOT to appeal the judge’s decision in the Retirement Board lawsuit and to urge the DWP Commission to work with the City Clerk to complete a new Retirement Board election by March 1.

As you may recall, in July and August of 1998, an election was held for the three employee member seats on the Retirement Board. Local 18, which represents over 70% of DWP employees, endorsed three candidates. When none of those candidates won, we reviewed the election process and found a number of discrepancies.

We asked he City Attorney and City Clerk to conduct investigations. Both found that there were substantial irregularities and that there was a violation of the secret ballot provision. The Board of Water and Power Commissioners chose to ignore the investigation results and certified the election anyway. Local 18 was left with no choice but to file a lawsuit to protect the interests of our membership.

In October, Judge Dzintra Janavs decided in Local 18’s favor. “The evidence in this action is overwhelming that there were serious fundamental irregularities in the election process,” the judge stated. “No reasonable person could conclude otherwise.” The judge ordered the Department to conduct a new, fair election.

Then last month the Board, with little regard for your democratic rights, decided to appeal the judge’s decision and order. At Local 18’s urging, the City Council voted to take over jurisdiction of the Board’s action (by using its Proposition 5 powers). We commend the City Council for doing the right thing, assuring that justice is served and your rights are protected.

IN ANOTHER VICTORY, the PUC ruled 3-2 to deny a request from municipal utilities for a waiver to General Order 165, which requires regular inspection of distribution and transmission systems for reliability. Our position has been that system reliability is a public concern that should not be left to the discretion of management. We were gratified that the PUC once again supported this position.

MEDIA COVERAGE of the World Trade Organization meeting in Seattle focused on the few “anarchists” breaking windows and largely ignored the thousands of rank and file workers and union leaders who participated in the protests. They were there to serve notice on political and economic leaders that worker rights, human rights and the environment must be considered in the development of global trade policies. AFL-CIO President John Sweeney, who was in the crowd, said it was “a stunning breakthrough in the public debate over globalization. Americans crossed the threshold to begin a truly national conversation ...and they were joined by citizens across the globe.”

IT WAS GOOD to see so many of you at the Local 18 Holiday Party here at the Hall. This is always a great event with food, live music and dancing. Everyone has a good time. If you have never come to one of these parties, you might want to check it out next year.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS to all our members and their families, and best wishes for a safe, prosperous and happy new millennium.

In Unity,

BRIAN D’ARCY, Business Manager

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