The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) failed to reach an agreement with union negotiators on Monday, prompting district officials to shut down schools in the nation’s second-largest education system on Tuesday.
FOX 11 in Los Angeles reported on Monday evening that LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvahlo said schools would be closed on Tuesday because of a worker strike.
Members of SEIU Local 99, or the Education Workers United, approved a strike for Tuesday, March 21 through Thursday, March 23, by way of a vote after nearly a year of failed negotiations over equitable wage increases, more full-time work, respectful treatment and increased staffing.
Thousands of district employees, from cafeteria workers to bus drivers in the district have made their demands, claiming the LAUSD engaged in “unfair practices” and saying little progress has been made since negotiations began in April 2022.
LOS ANGELES SCHOOLS BRACE FOR POSSIBLE SHUTDOWN AFTER UNION ANNOUNCES 3-DAY STRIKE, DEMANDS ‘EQUITABLE’ WAGES
Union leaders announced in December that talks reached an impasse and a state-appointed mediator would oversee the communications between both parties.
When the union voted to strike in February, 96% of LAUSD workers represented by SEIU Local 99 authorized the measure.
As the strike looms, district officials are continuing to prepare for the “unfortunate reality of school closures,” while remaining available to negotiate a solution to the issues, according to a statement from the district posted to social media on Sunday.
The district said in the statement, contrary to the SEIU’s assertions, the California Public Employee Relations board Office of the General Counsel, or PERB OGC, denied the district’s request for an injunctive relief over claims that the union was acting illegally by engaging in a three-day strike. In the PERB’s decision, it said it did not find the remedy of injunctive relief to be met at this time, but the OGC was directed to expedite the…
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