Pass: 52 / 100.0% Yes votes ...... 0 / 0.0% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Impartial Analysis from Michael B. Montgomery Interim City Attorney

Measure C, if passed, will delete Section 7.6 of the Vernon City Charter, which provides a rule of "at-will" employment for City employees.

Section 7.6 of the Vernon City Charter provides: "All city employees shall serve at the will and pleasure of the city council. No city employee shall have any right to employment with the city unless that employee and the city have entered into a written contract which gives the employee a property right to employment with the city." An "at-will" employment relationship is one where the employer is free to discharge individuals for good cause, bad cause, or no cause at all.

Section 7.6 bars the City from adopting alternative employment ordinances such as civil service rules, which often provide City employees property rights to employment with the City or a right to greater job security. Such rules have been enacted by several neighboring jurisdictions, including the City of Los Angeles, Burbank, and Glendale.

A "yes" vote on Measure C approves the Charter amendment deleting Chapter 7.6 and eliminating the requirement that all City employees work "at-will." If Measure C is passed, there will be no immediate change to any existing employment relationship. Employment would remain "at will" as provided under the California Labor Code unless and until the City adopts alternative employment arrangements. The passage of Measure C will, however, give the City the option to adopt civil service rules or other similar ordinances and policies, in the future.

A "no" vote on Measure B opposes this amendment to the Charter deleting Chapter 7.6. If Measure C fails, City employees will continue to serve "at-will," and the Vernon City Charter will continue to prevent alternative employment arrangements, such as civil service rules.

This Impartial Analysis is hereby submitted in conformance with Section 9280 of the Elections Code of the State of California.

City of Vernon