Your last-minute guide to L.A. County Charter Amendment A

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Set us as preferred L.A.County Charter Amendment A centers on labor negotiations for key public safety personnel in L.A.

County.BasicsMeasure A is a charter amendment that would require binding arbitration between county government and negotiators representing sheriff’s deputies, firefighters, lifeguards and other public safety workers if contract talks reach an impasse and no compromise can be reached.It would alter the current last step, in which county supervisors can impose a final offer that these employees must accept — by law, public safety personnel cannot strike.ImpactThe initial phase of contract talks still would have union and county representatives seeking to hammer out a mutually beneficial deal, with a presumption that both sides would negotiate in good faith.

But if a gap remains and an impasse ultimately is declared, the supervisors no longer would dictate the final offer.Instead, a three-member arbitration panel would be formed.

The county and union each would select one member, with the sides together choosing the third person, who would serve as chair.If they can’t agree on the final panelist, a state entity could provide a list of qualified arbitrators to choose from.

The arbitrators would focus on key employment elements such as wages and hours and would hold hearings and receive evidence from the parties.At the end of the process, a binding result would be issued and made public.

California Measure A would require binding arbitration if talks between county officials and unions representing sheriff’s deputies, firefighters, lifeguards and other groups reach an impasse.California Measure A would mandate binding arbitration when labor talks between the L.A.

County supervisors and public safety unions that are barred from striking reach an impasse.The most important California stories and recom...