KTLA News: "Off-duty police officers picket outside City Hall" (1980)

The police picket line stretched nearly all the way around city hall. A few wives and children marched along with the 400 offduty officers carrying pickets. It was an assertive but welldisiplined group. The atmosphere was charged with a feeling that the end of the rope is near. Movement in and out of the city hall complex continued uninterrupted, but street traffic occasionally slowed when passing onduty police and firemen paused to shout their encouragement. At about 10:30, the group moved into city council chambers during debate on parking fees for municipal employees. Council members seemed keenly aware of the crowd, and so it wasn't surprising when a suspension of the rules was passed, allowing a representative of the protective league to address the council. I hope you do not lose sight of what's occurring over the last two months. We have tried everything that we think is reasonable to do short of job actions. So I implore you to take your leadership role and to use it to prevent what could occur in this city. I thank you and I would ask my people now to leave the council chambers in an orderly I don't want any drastic thing put you say well you might force be forced to do something you've never done 10 years from today I want that same statement that something you've never done don't leave this city helpless fellas because then you might lose some of your friends well you can say to hell with them but that's not the way that's that's not it you first explore the the possibility Okay. [Music] >> Looks good. [Music] I would anticipate we'd get improvements. I need to ask a question, Mr. Comry. statement. Mr. Padet, I want to make >> Mr. Lindsay, you want to the time the time is running. So if you want to applaud, you won't he won't be able to say anything. So just keep that. That of course is the infamous blue flu epidemic. so long hinted at but never threatened as clearly as it was today. Only Gilbert Lindsay asked for time to respond. With that, the officers left Chambers, returning to the sidewalk outside to continue their picketing. According to a Protective League source, the city is now offering a 9.7% increase over existing pay scales. The union is demanding a wage and fringe benefit package costing the city 13% and yielding about 16% more for its members. These officers and virtually all others will be meeting behind closed doors later this week to decide on the league's next move. It now appears that with the possibility of a blue flu epidemic finally out in the open, there are few alternatives left for either side. For news at 10, Tony Valdez. >> This is police pickets. End of track. [Music] How are you? Get behind us. [Music] Right Go. We're going to take it. [Music] space. Try not to up [Music] [Applause] Sergeant, Sergeant, will you do your duty? [Laughter] >> Where is Where's George Aliano and Sam Flores? No. >> The great leaders. >> I move to Mr. Mina be waved. Well, maybe maybe we can arrange so you to assume their uh 99% probably maybe more of our policemen are fine people and out of every small group I look at you way possible to sell this thing you turn right around vote Sam, what's brought about this picket line today? >> Uh, the totally bad faith negotiating on the city's part. Uh, one day they offer a certain percentage and then the next day they roll back on that percentage. Tony, >> now it's been said all along in the past that the officers would not engage in a blue flu work action, but yet you seem to be leaning in that direction. >> Yes, we are. Now, we felt that it wouldn't be necessary, Tony, but uh the anxieties and the frustration that the city negotiators brought forth has had to have a change in our posture. Uh we're no longer in the same position we were 2 months ago. We felt confident that the city would in good faith, you know, pay a handful of police officers that are doing the job that 7,500 officers were uh you know, 5 years ago and they refused to pay and so the posture has changed and uh obviously our officers are upset. Uh you know, they have to also pay their bills and uh we're also very unhappy with the city. But when you talk about the city bargaining in bad faith, isn't there an element of bad faith? If a blue flu epidemic takes place and the city is left without protection? >> Well, uh, if there is a blue flu, Tony, which we hope there isn't, uh, we will do it in such a fashion that no one's going to get hurt. We hope. >> What's the city offering to you now? >> Uh, they rolled back from our last negotiating session to approximately 9.7 package. >> And what are you willing to settle for? >> We'll settle for around 13%. cost to the city which will give our membership about a 16 or 17% benefit package. >> Up this council meeting is guilty of a dis misdemeanor. >> Yes. >> Now where's >> council? I'd like to thank my members for the support that they've shown today for the league's position and for the orderly way they've conducted themselves throughout all of the negotiation sessions. The members of the council as leaders of this city have a very rare opportunity and that opportunity is to prevent a catastrophe in this city to prevent something that has not occurred in the existence of the LAPD. I hope you don't lose your chance and let it just pass by and try and explain later why something happened that we don't want to happen in this city. We feel we are professionals. We've heard you people say we are professionals. We want to be treated as professionals. We don't want to be dragged through what we're going through now. But don't let your friends down it by walking out on this city. If you do that, I'm telling you the truth. I' I'd rather I I couldn't support you if you do that. Don't you let Don't you let Wait a minute. Wait a minute. Don't let this city down. You're supposed to be real men. You're supposed to be real leaders. Your select group of