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Council narrowly backs SB 1101, urging governor to sign labor-protection measure for transit zones
Summary
After extended debate about possible transit zones and labor protections, the council voted 9–3 to back SB 1101, a state bill that would govern labor transitions if local transportation zones are created.
The Los Angeles City Council voted to support SB 1101 and to urge the governor to sign the bill, which the council was told would govern collective bargaining, pension and benefit continuity if local transportation "zones" are created.
Lobbyists and labor representatives addressed the council before debate. "What it says... the collective bargaining agreements and the obligation to bargain as well as pension and health benefits, transfer to the zone operator," ATU lobbyist Barry Broad told the council in explanation of SB 1101. John Perez of the California Labor Federation also urged support for the bill as a worker-protection measure.
Council debate was lengthy and sharply divided. Supporters said SB 1101 would protect workers' benefits and provide an orderly framework if a transportation zone were created; opponents said the bill would block local control or interfere with local negotiations and could chill potential operational reforms. Some councilmembers also tied the debate to a looming transit labor dispute and said the measure should not be considered against the backdrop of a strike.
After substitute motions and a period of procedural votes, the council recorded a final vote that the motion to urge the governor to sign SB 1101 be approved, 9 ayes to 3 noes. Council members instructed that the action be taken forthwith.
The council did not record a roll-call of individual votes in the transcript excerpt; the final tally was recorded as "9 ayes, 3 noes."
