Los Angeles Labor Accord Would Hike Health Costs

On Thursday, Los Angeles city and union leaders announced a deal that would have members of the Coalition of L.A. City Unions contribute 2% of their salary toward retiree health care benefits starting April 1 and increase their contribution to 4% by July. Currently, the city covers affected members' cost of retirement health care coverage.Under the change, which must be ratified by members, workers also would forgo salary increases and overtime pay, while the city would end furloughs and avert future layoffs.

• "Pension, Health Care Deal Reached With L.A.'s Largest City Union" (McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 3/25).
• "Los Angeles, Unions Reach Deal" (Audi, Wall Street Journal, 3/24).
• "LA Unions Reach Deal on Pension, Health Costs" (Blood, AP/San Jose Mercury News, 3/24).