EAA Membership Challenges Quid Pro Quo Agreements

Between Executive Director, IBEW Local 11’s Business Manager, LA City Councilman and EAA Governor

A series of disturbing events have unfolded at the Engineers and Architects Association (EAA), a union that represents 5,100 City of Los Angeles employees. Since early 2019, Machiavellian and duplicitous tactics engaged by the 2019 Board of Governors (BOG), Interim Executive Director (IED) Michael Davis, current Executive Director (ED) Steven Belhumeur (of SB Strategies) and our Union affiliate, IBEW Local 11 led by Business Manager Joel Barton have mobilized members in an effort to bring transparency and accountability to the union.

A day before EAA's 125th anniversary celebration on 9/11/19, the BOG abruptly dismissed well respected EAA Executive Director Bill Violante. This prompted inquiry by active union members which led to unsavory facts coming to light to a larger Union Stewards' audience. A Labor Rep for EAA who shared members' concerns was promptly fired by the board one week after Bill Violante, creating a culture of fear among EAA staff. Charges were officially filed against the Board by a fellow steward in October 2019. These charges include financial malfeasance, self-dealing, and a multitude of serious union by-law violations. A BOG recall effort was quickly underway with more than 10% of members signing their names to petitions asking for a vote to recall all members of the Board. The submitted petitions met the criteria, but the recall election has been delayed to suit the needs of the Board. These efforts have been disregarded due to self-serving quid pro quo agreements between the new EAA ED Steven Belhumeur, Local 11’s Business Manager Joel Barton, Councilman John Lee of CD 12 and EAA Governor Jack Kayajian.

Jack Kayajian now works for John Lee, with City Attorney Mike Feuer approving a loan/leave of absence, from his position at the City Attorney’s Office. After his failed bid for CD 12 Kayajian supported John Lee for the seat and influenced EAA's BOG to discreetly give $15k of our union's money via an independent expenditure facilitated by Steven Belhumeur. Belhumeur was Kayajian’s campaign manager in his failed CD 12 bid. Belhumeur became ED of EAA this January after much controversy: the position was not advertised, he failed to disclose his relationship with Kayajian, who participated in his interview and selection, and qualified applicants were ignored. Local 11’s Joel Barton initially professed agreement with members and instructed the BOG to rescind Belhumeur’s contract but has now reneged on his assurances and instructions in exchange for an additional $15k for John Lee's current campaign, which members oppose (political donations have typically been $800). Kayajian is no longer represented by EAA but remains on the Board and is using his position, by all appearances, for both personal gain and to benefit Belhumeur and John Lee.

Members, spearheaded by female City employees, have been working diligently to try and hold the BOG, interim and current ED accountable. Aside from the self-serving, and underhanded political tactics, there lies a visible undercurrent of misogyny that is unacceptable. At the time the charges were filed, the entire BOG was all male, with most over the age of 50 and heading into retirement. Women members and stewards have been ignored and dismissed when bringing valid concerns and indiscretions to their attention, both at meetings and in writing. Stewards have been told to know their place and encouraged to follow the new leadership blindly in the name of unity/solidarity. With mass retirements looming and City employee demographics becoming increasingly female and millennial, this behavior works against the best interests of the union. In the face of federal union-busting and a shrinking middle class we need to be redoubling our efforts to strengthen the union movement. Instead of taking up this cause it seems the majority of EAA's leadership is determined to leverage whatever personal gain they can from the organization, at the expense of the broader movement.

Become a Member to comment! Remember- your email will be displayed. If you want to remain anonymous, use one that doesn't have your name in it! Click here.