Approximately 7,000 jobs, accounting for 15% of the city’s 50,000 employees, are expected to be eliminated at LA City Hall.
The LA City Council has taken the initiative to eliminate most of the unfilled vacancies across the city’s departments and agencies and is currently analyzing the potential aftermath.
The council concluded at its meeting held in Van Nuys on January 26 that it makes more sense to save the city money by dividing up the work of currently vacant positions in the public sector within departments rather than waiting indefinitely for new applicants.
As of the end of last year, City Hall was facing a severe labor shortage, with 20 percent of its positions unfilled at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and 16 percent unfilled at the LA Police Department.
This situation has arisen because the city’s budgets are strained, making it challenging to guarantee salaries for new hires. City tax revenues are projected to be $158 million short of expectations this year, but spending is expected to increase by about $143 million at current levels.