MWD Has Allowed Toxic Work Environment for Far too Long

SACRAMENTO – Senator Henry Stern (D-Los Angeles), Chairman of the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee offers the following quote about the State Auditor's report on the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) State Audit Report 2021-104.

“This audit shows that under past management, MWD's workplace culture was broken, toxic and deeply damaging to the credibility of the most important water district in California,” said Senator Stern, “I appreciate the bravery of the rank-and-file water workers for speaking up, and for their union leaders for championing change. And I am optimistic that under the new General Manager's leadership change is already underway.”

Even though the headline, ‘Its Leadership Has Failed to Promote Transparency or Ensure a Fair and Equitable Workplace’ should not exist in any workplace, AFSCME Local 1902 has faith in the new General Manager as do I. “MWD should have been the shining example, but instead it turned out the lights and rained down on anyone who raised issues.” said AFSCME Local 1902 which represents nearly 80% of the workforce. “We (Local 1902) have confidence in MWD’s new GM, Adel Hagekhalil, who committed to bring about change.”

If needed, “I will be working on legislation, as necessary, through the Senate Natural Resources & Water Committee to codify the key recommendations of this damning audit. It's time for reform to guarantee the 1800 working women and men of MWD have the safety and voice they deserve, and due recourse against discrimination, harassment, bullying, victim intimidation, and the myriad of misconduct that festered under the old MWD management.

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