Grocery Strike Averted; LAEDC Mid-Year Economic Forecast; Hollywood Makeover Continues; Governor Schwarzenegger To Possibly Cut Mental Health Services To The Homeless; Nuclear Power; La Nina Conditions - For A While?
Grocery Strike Averted
Albertsons, Ralphs and Vons have reached a tentative agreement with Southland grocery workers, avoiding a repeat of the costly dispute of 2003-2004. On June 24, more than half of the union's 60,000 members who work at 852 stores from Bakersfield to San Diego rejected a "hybrid" contract offered by the companies. The proposal would have provided lower wages and benefits for new hires, similar to the agreement that ended the previous dispute. The new contract "includes fair wage increases and significantly improves health care benefits," for grocery workers According to Mike Shimpock, a spokesman for the Southern California Grocery Workers. Union members must still vote to ratify the contract, but they are expected to do so.
LAEDC Mid-Year Economic Forecast
Housing, job growth, construction, and labor contract negotiations in the film industry are just some of the areas studied to determine the Southland's economic forecast. Larry talks with Jack Kyser, Chief Economist of the LAEDC (Los Angeles Economic Development Corportation), about the results of the mid year study.
Hollywood Makeover Continues
Ten years ago, Hollywood had declined into an area frequented by prostitutes and drug dealers. Now its turnaround into a vibrant urban center is entering a new phase. Yesterday the city cleared the way for the "Blvd. 6200" project, a $400 million development with 1,000 apartments next to the Pantages Theater. It's the latest piece in a new complex to surround the Sunset and Vine subway station. Larry talks with Eric Garcetti, LA-City Councilman for the 13th District and an advocate of the plan, about the latest piece of the project to transform Hollywood.
Governor Schwarzenegger To Possibly Cut Mental Health Services To The Homeless
State legislators and Governor Schwarzenegger have yet to reach an agreement on the budget for the fiscal year that started 18 days ago. One of the major sticking points is the Governor's proposal to cut funding for programs that serve homeless people who are mentally ill. Larry Mantle talks about the issue with State Department of Mental Health Director Dr. Stephen Mayberg, Democratic State Senator Darrell Steinberg, and LA County Department of Mental Health Director Dr. Marvin Southard.
Nuclear Power
Larry and his guests discuss the benefits and risks of nuclear power in light of the Japan's recent earthquake and the damage it caused to the Kashiwazaki-Kariya nuclear plant.
La Nina Conditions - For A While?
Larry talks with Professor of Geography and Ecology at UCLA, Glen MacDonald about his recent LA Times' Op-Ed piece that discusses the very real possibility that our current hot, dry weather conditions could be here to stay for a while.