labor

Los Angeles, CA — Today, as the Board discussed immediate action to remove toxic fire debris and contaminant runoff from LA County beaches and coastal waters, Hahn asked that local labor with experience in ocean clean-ups be included.

“ILWU Local 56 members are experts in responding to hazmat situations and spills in our harbor,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “They have the experience, they have the know-how, and we should tap them as we respond to this crisis.”

In the wake of the devastating wildfires, stormwater runoff washed ash and debris onto local beaches and into the ocean. The Department of Public Health ordered an Ocean Water Closure for Las Flores State Beach to Santa Monica State Beach on January 27. Beach users have been cautioned to avoid water and sand contact where fire debris and heavy ash are observed until further notice as fire debris runoff and pollutants in the water and on the sand may contain toxic or carcinogenic chemicals.

Today, the Board unanimously approved a motion aimed at taking immediate action to address the fire debris and contaminant runoff on county beaches and in the ocean including requesting state and federal assistance and identifying best practices for removing carcinogenic chemicals and debris. Hahn requested that the Department of Public Works work directly with ILWU Local 56 on identifying best practices for this work using their experience.

The Department of Public Works will report back to the board in 15 days.

Los Angeles, CA – Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion authored by Supervisor Janice Hahn and co-authored by Supervisor Holly Mitchell to mobilize a rapid response to support workers impacted by the upcoming closure of the Phillips 66 refinery complex in Wilmington and Carson and connect them with new job opportunities. The closure is expected to happen in the fourth quarter of 2025 and impact 900 workers.

“Many of these workers are highly skilled and have years of experience in jobs that demanded extensive training,” said Supervisor Hahn, who represents Wilmington. “We are going to mobilize teams from across our county departments to make sure these workers have the support they need as the refinery winds down operations and work with our labor partners to connect them with any additional training they need to get great new jobs. Employers would be lucky to hire these workers, and I am hopeful that many of them will end up with new jobs with the County.”

The motion passed today directs the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) to report back in 60 days in writing with an action plan to assist workers impacted by the planned refinery closure with enhanced job training and job placement resources. This action plan will include opportunities for the County to hire workers to vacant positions in the Internal Services Department, Public Works, the LA County Fire Department, and other hard-to-fill positions.

“The closure of the Phillips 66 refinery creates a loss of stability for hundreds of skilled workers and their families in my district. I am proud to co-author this motion with Supervisor Hahn which helps ensure our communities do not have to choose between a clean environment and good jobs” said Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell. “I look forward to the action plan identifying ways affected workers are offered timely, family sustaining career opportunities, including hard-to-hire skilled positions that need to be filled within the county.”

Hahn’s proposal was inspired by her experience responding to the closure of Farmer John in the City of Vernon in 2023. Hahn spearheaded the County’s effort to support the more than 2,000 impacted workers with services, free job training, and job connections through a series of “Good Jobs Fairs” in partnership with UFCW Local 770, the Hospitality Training Academy, and other labor partners. Upcoming “Good Job Fairs” are already in the works for Phillips 66 workers.

“As we near the Phillips 66 refinery closure in 2025, the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity is ready to assist the impacted workers, support activation of our State and local workforce system, and partner with our labor and training colleagues to ensure immediate and expedited benefits and access to programs and hiring through Good Jobs Fairs that ensure a smooth and just transition,” said Kelly LoBianco, Director of the DEO. “This includes great jobs with the County of Los Angeles. We know how difficult these moments can be, and the region is coming together in solidarity.”

Commerce, CA – In response to news that the 99 Cents Only Stores will close all 371 of its locations nationwide, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn is preparing for the county to step in to assist impacted workers.

“I am worried about the thousands of 99 Cents Store workers across LA County who are going to lose their jobs, but LA County is ready to help ,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “We have a department that can step in during an event like this and help workers with not only short-term assistance to get through this difficult time, but job training and support to help them get a better job.”

99 Cents Only is headquartered in the City of Commerce in Hahn’s district and has stores across Los Angeles County. Nationwide, the closures are expected to impact 14,000 workers across three states.

On Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will vote on a proposal by Hahn to direct the Department of Economic Opportunity and the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs to report back in 60 days in writing with an action plan to assist the employees from 99 Cents Only Stores with Rapid Response and other services, including enhanced job training, job placement, and connection to stabilizing resources.

The proposal is modeled off of a recent county success story in Hahn’s district. When Farmer John announced it would close its meatpacking plant in Vernon, Hahn directed County resources to assisting workers. The Department of Economic Opportunity launched a comprehensive effort in partnership with labor to train impacted workers and connect them with better-paying in-demand jobs in the food and hospitality industries.

Ray Cordova and Supervisor Janice Hahn at the 2021 ‘Labor of Love’ Labor Day Food Giveaway Event in Wilmington.

Los Angeles, CA — Today, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn released the following statement about the passing of her longtime friend, labor leader Ray Cordova:

“Ray Cordova was truly a man of the people and for the people. He was a driving force in the labor movement and, as Chair of South County Labor, he championed workers’ rights, fair wages, and the right to organize. He laid the foundation of the modern labor movement here in Los Angeles County and was a mentor for many local elected officials, including myself. I was proud to call him a friend and I am grateful for the lessons he taught me. If the angels in heaven aren’t unionized yet, I know Ray is hard at work already organizing them.”