Council approves amendment to Hyperion layoff-avoidance plan after worker objections

The Los Angeles City Council approved an amendment to the Hyperion treatment plant layoff‑avoidance plan that consolidates the Energy Recovery Operator (ERO) classification with the wastewater operator classification.

Public speakers identified themselves as current EROs and said they were not included in labor–management discussions about the amendment. Manuel Lova identified himself as representing Energy Recovery Operators at Hyperion and urged the council not to pass the amendment because EROs were not consulted. Jordan Siplon, identified as an ERO 4, said there are 14 EROs with an average of 18 years of city service and argued the consolidation would “eradicate the layoff and bid seniority” of those workers. Supervisor Mohammed Abdul Al said management violated Article 13 of the memorandum of understanding by not meeting and conferring with affected employees.

City staff proceeded with the item after closing the public hearing. Councilmember Shapiro and others questioned the availability of project documentation, noting Hyperion is a $3.5 billion authorized project with roughly $2 billion already spent and saying the council had limited backup material in the agenda packet.

After discussion, the council voted to approve the amendment to the layoff-avoidance plan. The roll call recorded 14 ayes. The council did not add conditions on implementation in the motion on the record, and speakers asked that EROs be allowed to retain bid seniority or be included in a proper 108 transfer rather than be demoted to transitional worker steps.

Speakers and staff described continuing concerns about due process in implementation and asked for clearer labor–management engagement going forward.