A strike that would have shut down schools for nearly 400,000 students was averted early Tuesday after the Los Angeles Unified School District reached a tentative agreement with the union representing workers including custodians, bus drivers, and cafeteria workers.
Schools in the nation’s second-largest school district were open Tuesday, to the relief of many families who had scrambled to make childcare arrangements.
The tentative agreement, which includes a 24% wage increase over three years, followed similar deals reached on Sunday with the unions representing teachers, and administrators. The breakthrough came after a night of bargaining, announced at 2 a.m., just hours before the school day began.
Mayor Karen Bass, who intervened in the negotiations to avoid a function stoppage, praised the unions and the district during a mid-morning news conference, noting her personal connection as an LAUSD graduate, parent, and grandparent.
“It’s been a long night and it’s been a long few weeks of negotiations, but our schools are open, our kids are in class, and school workers are on the job caring for and shaping the minds of our future,” she said.
All three agreements still require ratification by union members and the LAUSD Board of Education.
The district announced the tentative agreement with SEIU Local 99, which represents approximately 30,000 workers including special education aides, gardeners, and tech support staff, just five hours before they were scheduled to picket.
Local 99 stated on social media at 2:30 a.m. That their members “secured major wins” including wage improvements, stronger protections against subcontracting, increased staffing, and the rescinding of layoffs for IT workers. Members were instructed to report to work as usual.
The union represents the lowest-paid employees in the school system, with an average annual salary of about $35,000. Many members reportedly hold second jobs to make ends meet.
In addition to the wage increase, the contract includes increased work hours to ensure healthcare benefits, rescinding the layoffs of hundreds of tech support workers, and limitations on subcontracting.
The morning drop-off at Brentwood Elementary Science Magnet felt routine, despite the previous uncertainty. Parents and students prepared for the day, and school buses – driven by Local 99 members – lined the curb.
“I imply, thumbs-up,” said Logan Highland, a parent dropping off his children.
Rachel Friedman, a parent and special education assistant, expressed the sentiment of many, stating, “No one wants to go on strike. We don’t want to stop schools. We just want to be paid what we’re worth. Better paid employees are happier employees, and that’s better for students, too.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the agreement with UTLA include?
The agreement with United Teachers Los Angeles includes an average pay increase of 13.86% over two years, raising the starting teacher salary to $77,000 from $68,965. It also adds more than 450 positions for counselors, social workers, and psychologists, and includes provisions to control class sizes for students with disabilities.
What does the agreement with AALA include?
The agreement with the Associated Administrators of Los Angeles includes a pay increase of 11.65% over two years, with an opportunity to bargain for an additional raise in the final year of the three-year contract.
What was the reaction from families?
Families expressed relief that schools remained open, but also frustration with what they described as inadequate communication from the district regarding the potential strike. Some parents were unaware of the situation until the last minute, causing confusion and disruption to childcare plans.
As the Los Angeles Unified School District moves forward, how might this averted strike influence future negotiations and communication strategies with its workforce and the community?
