Los Angeles Mayor Bass Averts 1,600 City Worker Layoffs After Union Deal

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced a historic agreement with labor unions that has averted all planned civil service layoffs for the fiscal year 2025-26, despite an initial budget proposal that included more than 1,600 job cuts to address a $1 billion deficit. This outcome was achieved through months of negotiations, creative staffing solutions such as transferring employees to funded positions in departments like the Port of Los Angeles and Water and Power, and labor concessions including overtime adjustments and unpaid holidays. The City Council had previously reduced the number of threatened layoffs to around 600, but the latest agreement eliminated them completely, preserving critical city services and protecting the workforce. Union leaders praised the deal as a significant victory for city employees and essential services amid challenging economic conditions and budget pressures. Mayor Bass emphasized the collaboration and shared commitment to moving Los Angeles forward while maintaining vital public services. This deal marks a major reversal from the originally proposed cuts and underscores a commitment to safeguarding jobs and services for Angelenos.