Compton City Council passes budget
With layoffs imminent, unions gear up to fight back
The Compton City Council passed a budget at its Tuesday meeting that officials said avoids a government shutdown but that is expected to result in layoffs.
The city council voted 3-1 to approve the budget, with Janna Zurita, Lillie Dobson, and Mayor Eric Perrodin voting “yes,” and Yvonne Arceneaux casting the only “no” vote. Willie O. Jones, was absent.
The majority of the viewing public was upset with the outcome, and many yelled and stormed out of the meeting.
At a previous meeting, the budget proposal included an estimated 91 layoffs needed because the city faces a $23 million budget deficit. Treasurer Douglas Sanders warned that if the new budget wasn’t passed, city employees might not have gotten paid at all this week.
“We have to take the responsibility as leaders to do what’s right for the overall betterment of the city,” said Mayor Perrodin. “I wish nobody would get laid off, but I don’t see that reality.”
City workers said the layoffs would be devastating.
“It’s going to devastate city services. I live in the city. I’m a homeowner in this city. I’m the sole supporter of my family,” said city employee Rose Downs. “It’s going to devastate families throughout this city.”
Angered union employees claimed that in light of this outcome they are moving forward to take legal action against the city of Compton.
COMPTON, Calif.—A number of ideas were bounced around Tuesday at the Compton City Council meeting regarding the budget, which the Council postponed voting on until next week’s council meeting.
After listening to the frustration of the public, the mayor suggested that rather than complaining about the budget, which has been presented by the city manager, people should take it upon themselves to come up with alternative solutions to balancing it.
Compton is facing a projected $25 million shortfall.
Two forums will be held to give voters an opportunity to hear the viewpoints of candidates in runoff elections in Compton.
The first is May 23 from 6-8 p.m. in the Compton City Council Chambers, 205 S. Willowbroook Ave.
The second will follow on May 25 at noon, also in the City Council Chambers.
The forums will feature mayoral runoff candidates Aja Brown versus former mayor Omar Bradley; and Second District Councilwoman Lillie Dobson facing off against challenger Isaac Galvan.
COMPTON, Calif. — Despite facing criminal charges, it appears that former Compton Mayor Omar Bradley will get a chance to reclaim his old job during a June 4 runoff election.
According to an unofficial tally from Tuesday’s election, urban planner and political newcomer Aja Brown topped the field of 12 candidates seeking the mayor’s office, collecting 1,601 votes, or 27.8 percent. Bradley was second with 1,509 votes, or 26.2 percent.
Incumbent Eric Perrodin had 1,443 votes, or 25 percent.
The Coalition of Compton Unions, which represents about 400 city employees, filed unfair labor practice charges with the California Public Employment Relations Board against the city of Compton in response to the City Council’s approval of a budget that called for worker layoffs and unilaterally imposed concessions on the remaining work force.
A labor coalition comprised of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3947, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) 721, AFSCME Local 2325 and the Compton Firefighters International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 2216 said it plans to sue the city of Compton for what it sees as a number of violations that occurred during the budget process.
This week the coalition’s attorney Anthony Segall sent a letter to Compton Mayor Eric J. Perrodin and members of the city council outlining what the lawsuit will entail.
