L.A. County Social Workers Strike

More than 4000 children's social workers for Los Angeles County went on strike Thursday over negotiations surrounding the number of caseloads per worker and the timing of a pay raise. 

Lowell Goodman, the director of the Service Employees International Union said, "The county has shown no willingness to make meaningful reforms which leaves us with little choice but to go on strike."

L.A. County spokesman David Sommers said officials will make sure that the public is as "minimally impacted as possible."

Strikes will take place in more than 15 locations including West Los Angeles and Pasadena. 

Union negotiators requested a maximum caseload of 30 children per social worker. Social workers protesting outside the Department of Children and Family Services told ATVN they have caseloads of 40 to 45 children - or more.

"This is about child safety. This is about being able to provide better services," said social worker Delmi Madrigal. "We love our jobs. We just want to do our jobs right."