CAPE President: LA County must prepare for potential Coronavirus outbreak.

CAPE President, Carlos Clayton P.E.:                      

“Now is the time for LA County to prepare for a potential Coronavirus outbreak.”

California Association of Professional Employees (CAPE) President, Carlos Clayton P.E., released the following statement today in regards to California’s State of Emergency proclamation by Governor Newsom and Los Angeles County’s response to address the global COVID-19 outbreak:

“The coronavirus threat is real and so is the potential for an outbreak here in Los Angeles County. We applaud and stand with Governor Newsom and L.A. County Supervisors Hilda Solis and Janis Hahn on leading the way in providing resources and calling for emergency preparations in the event the virus spreads further through Southern California. We call on the Board of Supervisors to act quickly and take additional steps to create a task force to develop an effective strategic county-wide emergency shutdown procedure.

The consequences of the coronavirus are far reaching. Not only do working families in Los Angeles County have to worry of the dire health implications, but also the financial instability that an outbreak could have county-wide. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have already warned of severe disruptions to daily life and are encouraging businesses to consider telecommuting options for employees.

We can’t afford to wait. To protect the safety and livelihoods of our community, it’s critical that L.A. County proactively prepares in the event that the coronavirus threat spreads throughout our region.”

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The California Association of Professional Employees represents more than 2,500 employees of the County of Los Angeles. CAPE’s representation extends into the areas of collective bargaining of Memorandum of Understandings (work contracts), collective bargaining of Fringe Benefits, Grievances, Legal Advice, and Health Benefits. CAPE, the Union, was formed in 1964 by professional employees of the County of Los Angeles, who recognized the need for fair and effective representation.

CAPE is affiliated with MEBA (Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association) and the AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor – Congress of Industrial Organizations).  CAPE is also a member of the Coalition of County Unions (CCU), an alliance of Los Angeles County Unions that collectively bargain for the health and retirement benefits of all County “Choices” participants.