Union members who work in the city's dog pounds and at thecounty's register-recorder's offices won't be reporting to worktoday, an official from the local Service Employees InternationalUnion says. Thousands more who work in the giant departments ofSocial Services, Children and Family Services and Public Works willhit the bricks on Tuesday, the union says.

Another half-dozen unionized agencies—-including the Sheriff'sdepartment, district attorneys, libraries and tax assessor—-willstrike on Wednesday. They'll be followed on Thursday by health-careworkers who staff the region's massive network of county hospitalsand clinics.

Though each strike will last only one day, a general strike willbe called for Oct. 11 if the union cannot forge a new contract withcity and county negotiators. The two sides remain far apart, withthe union sticking to its demand that workers get a 15.5% raiseover three years.