School workers plan 3-day strike
The Los Angeles teachers union plans to join an anticipated three-day strike, possibly within two weeks, with thousands of L.A. Unified's non-teaching workers, actions that would likely shut down schools in an explosion of labor discontent.
Local 99 — which represents more than 25,000 cafeteria workers, bus drivers, custodians, special education assistants and others — has reached an impasse in its monthslong negotiations with the district over demands for an across-theboard 30% raise, with more for the lowest wage earners. The union is expected to announce the timing of its three-day walkout at a joint rally with the teachers union Wednesday.
UTLA is also in the throes of labor negotiations, seeking a 20% wage increase over two years and a long list of school initiatives. On Friday the union sent a letter to Superintendent Alberto Carvalho stating it was terminating its contract with the district, a legal maneuver that would allow its members to join Local 99's strike, according to information posted online by the teachers union.
“This action shows that we are fed up with the pace of negotiations,” the union post states. A UTLA joint rally with Local 99 demonstrates the force of union solidarity aimed at ratcheting up pressure on the district.
“Terminating the contract takes away from LAUSD executing a frivolous legal argument that they raised in 2019 that terminating the contract must occur before before UTLA as an organization can engage” in a strike, a union FAQ states.
If Local 99 of Service Employees International Union does not reach an agreement with the district, teachers would stay home or picket alongside them. Local 99 had previously terminated its contract with the district, clearing the way for its own walkout. Its workers include part-time employees and those earning among the lowest wages in the school system.
“You do not go into work,” the teachers union advised its members. “You should join the [Local 99] picket line at your school site. If there is not a picket line at your school site, you should join one at a nearby school. There will be rallies during the strike and everyone should plan on attending those as well.”