Dear Members,  First, please accept my apologies for the delay in providing this update — I was awaiting additional information from the City.  Per the tentative agreement ratified by the membership last year, Coalition-represented employees were to take up to five unpaid days off — one per month beginning in February 2026 and ending in June 2026 — contingent upon the number of substitute authority positions eliminated through the Expedited Transfer Process (ETP). Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the entire Coalition, the number of unpaid holidays reduced. As a result, employees will now take no more than two unpaid days during the 2025-2026 fiscal year.  Coalition-represented employees, including AFSCME Local 3090 members, will take one unpaid holiday on Monday, February 9, 2026.  However, the following departments are exempt from the unpaid holiday: • Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) • Bureau of Sanitation  • Los Angeles City Employees’ Retirement System (LACERS) • Fire & Police Pension System • Department of Recreation & Parks • Los Angeles Public Library • Department of Airports • Los Angeles Harbor Department  In addition, all LAPD personnel are exempt due to the agreement with LAPPL and their status as Public Safety employees.  There may be additional exemptions. If you are uncertain about your status, please contact the Human Resources Department or your supervisor for confirmation.  What remains undecided is whether a second unpaid holiday will be necessary to help balance the City’s budget for this fiscal year. The City will audit payroll toward the end of February, at which time we will know the exact savings. The Coalition will then meet to discuss potential outcomes.  As soon as I have more information, I will notify you.  In unity and solidarity, Larry Gates President, AFSCME Local 3090