LOS ANGELES : Council Limits Overtime for Top DWP Employees

The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously Friday to restrict overtime payments for the Department of Water and Power’s top non-union representatives, a move that could save about $27 million a year.

Last year, Councilman Joel Wachs said, the DWP approved $55 million in overtime--including that for the top executives.

The council approved a plan that would prohibit overtime compensation for unrepresented DWP employees who make more than $100,000 a year.

Wachs said overtime costs for the DWP have been six to seven times greater than in any other city department.

“This painted a picture of abuse and excessive expenditures during a time when the department is being asked to tighten its belt,” Wachs said.

After striking DWP workers forced the council to offer a 9% salary boost, a city study found that nearly all the 477 employees earning more than $70,000 applied for and received overtime payments averaging $4,500 a year.