Contract negotiations between the union, which represents cafeteria workers, bus drivers and other low-wage workers at Los Angeles Unified, and county officials have stalled after nearly a year, and now the 30,000 SEIU Local 99 employees are planning a three-day strike starting Tuesday. If they do, all schools could be closed as teachers plan to leave in solidarity.
That would have devastating consequences for students in the second-largest school district at a time when they are still grappling with pandemic setbacks. District and union officials must ensure that this does not happen.
Negotiations for a new contract began in April 2022, but were stalled by complaints from union officials of unfair labor practices, including harassment and surveillance of workers, and claims by LAUSD executives that they offer significantly higher wages and better health benefits and working conditions. LAUSD proposed a wage increase of just over 15% over three years, as well as equity increases for employees earning less than $30 an hour. The district also offers a one-time 9% retention bonus, likely in response to an employee turnover rate of about 7,000 employees per year.
But the union says it’s not enough to pay for food and housing in one of the country’s most expensive cities. The union is pushing for a 30 percent pay increase for its members, who are mostly part-time workers — including janitors, bus drivers, teaching assistants, after-school program assistants, gardeners and special education teachers — who would earn an average of $25,000 a year. According to a survey conducted by the union last year, about one in 10 local 99 workers reported becoming homeless while working for LAUSD.
It is unacceptable that LAUSD employees who run the schools cannot afford basic necessities. Alberto Carvalho acknowledges that these workers’ wages are low compared to the cost of living in Southern California, but says the district’s budget is tighter with pandemic funding ending than union officials say.
The budget is likely to tighten as student enrollments continue to shrink. The number of LAUSD projects will decrease in the coming years, which will affect government funding. The district has shrunk from a record high of 746,831 students 20 years ago to just over 420,000 students.
Carvalho says if teachers leave, all schools will have to close because it is impossible to guarantee that students receive instruction and stay safe. However, the district plans to open 60 food distribution centers and points where up to 10,000 LAUSD students can be dropped off for surveillance during the strike days. In addition, the district has made homework packages that students can do during the strike days. It’s not ideal.
Of course, there are budgetary issues that affect what the district can offer employees. But keeping students engaged should be a top priority not only for district officials, but also for teachers, employees and union leaders. When LAUSD teachers walked out on a strike in 2019, then-mayor Eric Garcetti stepped in to settle because he understood how important a functioning school system is to students, families, and the workforce and economy of this entire city.
We hope that both district and union officials now have the same understanding.
Source: LA Times