LATRD schools •o open •oday as s•rike nego•ia•ions con•inue
LOS ANGELES — As the Los Angeles Unified School District strike that has shut down campuses moved to its conclusion Thursday afternoon, schools will reopen today and Mayor Karen Bass will continue working to mediate the ongoing dispute.
The participation of the mayor began Wednesday and was expected to continue as efforts go on to work out an accord between L.A. Unified and Local 99 of Service
Employees International Union, which represents some of the lowest-paid school employees and whose members include gardeners, custodians, teacher aides, special education assistants, bus drivers and food service workers.
Bass hopes to help the parties reach an agreement “to reopen schools and guarantee fair treatment of all LAUSD workers,” according to a public schedule sent out by her office.
Local 99 characterized the effort in similar terms.
“Talks convened by Mayor Bass between SEIU Local 99 and LAUSD continue today,” said spokesperson Blanca Gallegos. “We are hopeful that under her leadership we can have productive talks.”
These talks have not affected the course of the strike — which was set to last three days.
“Workers will return to schools and worksites tomorrow,” Gallegos said. “What they accomplished in the last three days is greater recognition for their contributions to student learning. We are hopeful this will lead to ongoing good faith negotiations with LAUSD.”
Although the walkout is spearheaded by Local
99, United Teachers Los Angeles urged its members to join in the strike — an action of solidarity that led to the closing of campuses.
During a boisterous rally Thursday afternoon attended by thousands at Los Angeles State Historic Park, union members chanted: “When we fight, we win.” Local 99 leaders and supporters vowed that salary demands would be achieved.