Los Angeles Schools and 30000 Workers Reach Tentative Deal After Strike Live Updates: After a three-day strike that saw hundreds of campuses closed and classes canceled for 422,000 students, the union representing 30,000 educators reached a tentative agreement with the Los Angeles Unified Schools District on Friday.
Local 99 of the Service Employees International Union, which represents school district support workers, requested a 30% pay raise. It stated that many of its members earned less than the minimum wage and could not afford the cost to live in Southern California. The deal was announced by both the union & school district late Friday afternoon.
Los Angeles teachers’ union asked its 35 thousand members, to join hands in solidarity with the strike and avoid crossing support worker picket lines. That meant that 65,000 school employees were affected by the work stoppage.
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The strike was only for three days. Schools had already reopened Friday morning when Local 99 reached an agreement on a tentative contract. According to the union, Los Angeles Unified, which is the second-largest district of schools in the country, had fulfilled its key demands.
Local 99 members include bus drivers, gardeners, cafeteria workers, special education assistants, and bus drivers. Since July 1, 2020, they had been working in the field without any contract. According to the school district, the new agreement would retroactively apply to that date and last through June 30, 2024.
The district announced that workers will receive a $1,000 raise and that the minimum wage will rise to $22.52 an hour. The district will also create a $3 million fund for professional and educational development to support union members.
Karen Bass, the Los Angeles mayor, announced the agreement on Friday at City Hall. Max Arias, who is the executive director at Local 99, was there with her. Alberto Carvalho was the superintendent of Los Angeles Unified. Ms. Bass stated that she was involved in negotiations during the walkout, but kept her profile low.
On Twitter, Mr. Carvalho stated that we had promised to respect the dignity of our workforce and correct inequalities impacting the lowest-wage earners. We also pledged to continue supporting critical student services, as well as protect the District’s financial viability. “Promises made, promises delivered.”
Both sides acknowledged Ms. Bass as having helped to broker a deal.
S.E.I.U. workers make up the majority of S.E.I.U. 99 workers aren’t only employed in schools, Ms. Bass stated at the news conference. They are L.A.U.S.D. Parents can also be involved.
Today, too many hardworking people work full-time and it is difficult to provide a roof over your head and food for your family. Los Angeles is expensive. Los Angeles has become almost unaffordable, as everyone knows.