REAL ESTATE & BUSINESS
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THE REAL DEAL WILD RIDE LEADS TO SUIT FOR LOHAN PAGE 3 HOLLYWOOD FILM FEST GETS GOING PAGE 9 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2008
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Volume 7 Issue 293
Santa Monica Daily Press SAME OLD TRICKS SEE PAGE 5
Since 2001: A news odyssey
THE MONEY TRAIL ISSUE
Hospital workers get their pay BY MELODY HANATANI Daily Press Staff Writer
DOWNTOWN More than 14 months of contentious negotiations and numerous strikes resulted in a peaceful resolution for the University of California and hospital workers on Sunday when both sides agreed to a new five-year contract. The tentative agreement, which promises the more than 11,500 UC patient care workers wage increases and overtime pay, will now go before the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3299 general membership for ratification in early November. “It was a long hard fight and I think we
moved a lot from what we originally asked for a year and a half ago, but for patient care workers, this is a really good deal,” Lakesha Harrison, the union president, said. The contract features $127 million in total wage increases over the life of the contract, including $18 million in the first year ranging from 4 to 15 percent. The union originally sought a three-year contract that would give 9 percent increases in the first year, followed by 6 percent in the second and final year with a minimum wage of $15. What they ended up getting was a contract that moves all workers to a minimum wage of $14.50 an hour in the final year of the contract and the establishment of a longevity-based step system, which rewards
employees for experience and skill. The stepsystem had been a focal point of the demands from the union. “Our patient care employees play a vital role in helping UC medical and student health centers deliver top-quality patient care, and we are pleased to have reached an agreement that recognizes their many important contributions to the university and to the state,” Shelley Nielsen, the UC’s chief negotiator for the contract, said. There was some disappointment over parking subsidies and healthcare benefits. Under the contract, the UC will pay the majority of the benefits’ costs, resulting in lower premium increases for the employees. The union was also seeking a way for
employees to park for free or at a fraction of the cost at the hospitals. Contract negotiations have often times reached a boiling point. The union has gone on strike at least twice in the past year, including in July at all 10 campuses and medical centers statewide. The strike, which affected Santa Monica UCLA Medical Center, was called despite a court-issued restraining order that prohibited a walk-out. What still remains at issue is the yearlong talks between the UC and union regarding a new contract for the 8,500 service workers, approximately 96 percent of whom qualify for at least one public assisSEE CONTRACT PAGE 11
Money talks during current election season BY MELODY HANATANI Daily Press Staff Writer
JUST A TEST
Fabian Lewkowicz FabianLewkowicz.com Santa Monica Police Officer John Gallagher on Tuesday gives a Breathalyzer test to a St. Monica High School student during ‘Red Ribbon Week.’
CITY HALL When it comes to campaign financing, it pays to be an incumbent. That’s been the case for the four City Councilmembers running for re-election, raising altogether more than $246,000 this year and trumping their nine challengers, who have combined to pull in about $20,000, according to the most recent campaign statements filed on Oct. 6. More than half of the fundraising figure for incumbents comes from businessman Bobby Shriver, who loaned more than $108,000 to his own campaign this year. Aside from Shriver’s portion in the overall fundraising picture, the incumbents have still been able to outraise their challengers, only four of whom have opted to fundraise. One of the biggest differences between the incumbents and challengers’ campaign finance reports is the contribution from the business community and developers. Some of the names on the reports are employees SEE FUNDING PAGE 12
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