Tensions are rising and time is running out for LAUSD to reach contract agreements with its two labor unions, which are teetering on the edge of a three day strike and intend to demonstrate their readiness to walk out in a joint Wednesday afternoon rally.
The rally will unite members from United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA), the union representing approximately 35,000 teachers, and members of SEIU Local 99, the union representing about 30,000 service employees including cafeteria workers, bus drivers, custodians and special education assistants.
Their collective demands include better pay, reliable hours for part-time staff, full staffing of nurse and psychiatrist positions, smaller class sizes and more funding for special education and the Black Student Achievement Plan.
SEIU Local 99 is asking for a 30% across-the-board raise and UTLA is asking for a 20% raise across the next two school years.
SEIU Local 99 publicly announced the cancellation of its contract on March 7 and UTLA followed suit on March 10, according to an update posted to the union’s website. This step legally paves the way for both unions to strike.
If workers from both unions walk out simultaneously, LAUSD would likely shutter classrooms, Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said in a March 13 email to parents.
“If this strike does occur, despite our best efforts to avoid it, due to the anticipated lack of both teachers and school staff, it is likely we would have to close schools — without virtual education — until the strike ends,” Carvalho said in the email. “We would simply have no way of ensuring a safe and secure environment where teaching can take place.”
The last time a strike took place was in 2019. It was led by UTLA only, and lasted for six highly disruptive days.
This time around, SEIU’s complaints are at the forefront of the potential strike, with UTLA acting in solidarity.
SEIU announced that contract negotiations with the district had reached an impasse in December…
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