MAYOR VILLARAIGOSA STATEMENT ON TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER ISSUED

(Los Angeles, California – August 21, 2006) Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa made the following statement today in response to Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Dzintra I. Janav’s decision to grant a temporary restraining order (TRO) against work actions by some members of the Engineers and Architects Association:

"I am pleased by Judge Janav’s decision to protect the City’s critical functions at the airport, at the department of sanitation and with our 911 emergency response capabilities. "

"The court today sent a clear message: While we will always respect the right of workers to organize, we cannot tolerate any effort to compromise the safety of the people of Los Angeles."

"We should be clear: The TROs affect just a tiny fraction of EAA’s members. These are employees whose jobs are critical to the City’s health and safety, and they represent less than three percent of the roughly 7,400 EAA-represented employees."

"I am confident that the leadership of the EAA shares my commitment to public safety. We anticipate a peaceful and respectful work action. However, any attempt to threaten the safety of the people of Los Angeles will be dealt with swiftly, and with the full weight of the law."