Yvonne Wheeler was elected the new president of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO (LA Fed) on Nov. 21. The historic unanimous vote by her peers makes Wheeler the first Black woman to hold the title and makes her one of the most influential people in Los Angeles politics.
Snoop Dogg, one of the Los Angeles area’s most accomplished rap artists, has endorsed Los Angeles Councilman Herb Wesson to become the next Los Angeles County Supervisor. In his message, Snoop encouraged his fans to vote for Wesson for Supervisor and to return their ballots early.
In the heart of the Crenshaw District, in South L.A., a community food distribution drive through was held at the Los Angeles Sentinel on Saturday, July 18, 2020 from 9M – Noon, to provide groceries for community members experiencing economic hardship due with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bakewell Media, Los Angeles Sentinel, Mothers In Action, AFGE, Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, Labor Community Services, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, Miguel Contreras Foundation, Teamsters National Black Caucus, Councilmember Herb Wesson of CD 10 and County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas of the 2nd District collaborated to successfully distribute groceries to 2,500 families in Los Angeles and surrounding areas.
COVID-19 has taken an immediate financial toll on the City of Los Angeles. Many families are looking for ways to make ends meet and keep food on the table. Local organizations and elected officials have hit the ground to help residents access the food and resources they need safely. Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson partnered with the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor and the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank to host a drive-through food pantry for more than 5,000 South L.A. Families.
“Living Wage not Minimum Wage,” read some of the picket signs outside of the market as workers demanded a wage adequate enough for “one job” to sustain a living in the City of Angeles. The most recent contract, said workers, “offers slashed wages as much as 25 percent for checkers, offer less than one percent to other employees, eliminate some overtime, and put their healthcare benefits at risk of bankruptcy.”
Labor union leader Rusty Hicks said he is “humbled” by the outcome of the June 1 election that propelled him to the front of a group of seven candidates, and making him the new California Democratic Party Chair. “Everyone, including me, thought that with seven candidates running for Party Chair, that the race would result in a runoff,” Hicks said via a post-election statement. “I applaud the other six candidates. I got to hear them and know them as we all campaigned over the last four months. I believe that the positive nature of our respective campaigns has been
Over 1,000 community leaders, labor leaders, union members and elected officials gathered in the West Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center.