Dispatchers Stage Sickout to Protest Cutbacks

A group of about 36 Los Angeles police dispatchers reported off on sick leave July 2nd, protesting the city’s plans to furlough and lay off civilian employees. Rarely have dispatchers walked off the job or staged a sick-out in the United States, perhaps because of the critical nature of the job. The no-show affected less than half the 85 dispatchers who were scheduled to work the 6 a.m. shift at the department’s two comm centers. An LAPD assistant chief said administrative and training personnel filled in for the missing dispatchers and their absence did not affect public safety. A union official said that he had received two Twitter messages about the sick-out, but didn’t comment on the tactic. Read more about the action here.