Cerritos, California - Cerritos has been keeping this under the radar, but it is currently reviewing its charter. This is an excellent opportunity for residents to ask for something like adding district representation of City Councilmembers. Cerritos is a big city, with a population of just over 50,000 residents. However, in Cerritos the people who often win a Council seat   are the individuals who have the support of the big business ventures, like the malls or especially the automobile sales lobby. That won’t change in future elections, because money in politics is unfortunately a reality in American politics. But by having Councilmembers from specific districts, it at raises the accountability of an individual Councilmember.   A Councilmember representing a certain district will be answerable to the residents of his/her district, and if residents aren’t happy, it’s a lot easier to vote the person out. It will also be a lot easier for grass roots, aka ‘unbought’ candidates ...

President Jamie Rodriguez and the Lawndale City Employees of AFSCME Local 1895 voted 'No Confidence'  in City Manager Kevin Chun. Lawndale, California - Lawndale employees gave a strong ’No Confidence’ vote against City Manager Kevin Chun. The declaration of no confidence, along with reasons for the vote, was delivered in a letter to their City Council.  On Monday night (Nov 8) a special City Council meeting was called to review Chun’s performance. However, no reportable action was taken. City Council could not comment on the matter, either. “The Brown Act prohibits any of us from providing any additional information at this time, but when the matter is resolved it will be reported as such in open session,” said Lawndale Councilwomen Bernadette Suarez. Jamie Rodriguez, president of the Lawndale employee union, AFSCME Local 1895, explained some of the back story on the vote.  “Kevin is one of those city managers who didn’t take input from staff, and who made people f...

  Pasadena, California - Eye on Pioneer's Andrew Perry, a newly elected Vice President for AFSCME Council 36, joined an alliance of unions rallying to support striking nurses and medical professionals from UNAC and UHCP.  Other allied unions included United Steelworkers, AFSCME, and the Teamsters. Also supporting was the LA Federation of Labor and the AFL-CIO. The rally was on October 30, 2021.

  Managers and analysts put their necks on the line, and went public with their concerns about the health of the City, and how City Manager Bill Rawlings is affecting it. Councilmember Tony Lima looks on in the background. Artesia, California - A powerful scene unfolded earlier last week.   On October 5, almost every Artesia city employee attended a special council meeting and risked their livelihoods to publicly express their concerns about how City Manager Bill Rawlings is detrimentally affecting the health of the City. The purpose of the special council meeting was Rawlings' performance evaluation. Three council members - Rene Trevino, Melissa Ramoso, and Ali Sajjad Taj, thanked the managers and supervisors for their words, but Councilmember Monica Manalo defended Rawlings in a public statement.  The meeting ended with the City Attorney Hongdao Nguyen reporting 'No Reportable Action.'  The following week, Rawlings still went to the office at least once, and reta...

Artesia Employees, represented by AFSCME Local 1520, and a newly formed Managers union, declared that they have 'no confidence' in City Manager Bill Rawlings and essentially state that he is 'unfit for office.' Because they are all taking action with concerted union activity, they are protected state law. Want to unionize? Start here first.

Artesia, California - While the walls crumble around disgruntled City Manager Bill Rawlings, he is lashing out, but embattled employees catch a glimpse of blue sky. As lawsuits, unionizing efforts, investigations, and general mistrust mire three councilmembers' attempts to cover up several serious allegations against Rawlings, he is directing a subordinate to fire or attempt to fire employees for whistle blowing and for engaging in protected union activity, both of which are protected under state law. Despite this, employees are galvanized by outcries of support from residents, businesses, and outside agencies who are monitoring the situation. One Employee Fired Already An HR Manager, who was involved in unionizing efforts, was fired over a week ago.  The official reason: "services no longer needed". This particular HR Manager had glowing reviews for years, up until he bravely reported several serious allegations of harassment and misconduct involving the City Manager.  ...

  Artesia, California - Mayor Rene Trevino has heard the outcry from Artesia employees and managers about working conditions and horror stories under City Manager William "Bill" Rawlings. Union President Andrew Perry approached the City Council at the last council meeting, letting them know about a newly forming managers union. Perry asked for their support. Mayor Rene Trevino gave it. Afterwards, President Perry tells the Eye on Pioneer, "When Mayor Trevino first ran for council, I had reservations. I regret that now. I see him for what he truly is. He's independent. He's honest. He is his own man, and he speaks from his heart and out of principle." Perry said, "This is the rare type of person whom we want to see in public office.  In the future he and I may disagree on something, but at the end of the day you can't help but respect him because he wears his heart on his sleeve. This shows that he has true character. On behalf of the employees, and...