What Happened
Service workers and teachers at California schools began a strike on March 21 to demand better wages and increased staffing.
The Leaders of United Teachers Los Angeles, a union representing 35,000 educators, counselors and other staff, wanted a 30% raise, while teachers specifically wanted a 20% pay hike over two years.
The strike left more than 400,000 students out of school for three days. Only 150 of the district’s 1,000 schools remained open with adult supervision, although with no instruction.
The Context
According to ABC News, the service employees for the Los Angeles school district have been working without contracts since June 2020.
“These are co-workers that are the lowest paid workers in our schools,” UTLA President Cecily Myart-Cruz said. “We cannot stand idly by as we consistently see them disrespected and mistreated by this district.”
Working conditions for this school district have gone down according to Danielle Murray, a special education paraprofessional.
“We’re very understaffed,” Murray told KABC-TV. “The custodial staff is a ghost crew, so the schools are dirty. They’re doing the best they can.”
The Leaders of United Teachers Los Angeles are standing with these protestors in solidarity. The union says that service workers earn $25,000 a year on average according to the Associated Press.
The Latest
The union honored its word of returning after three days no matter what happened at the bargaining table according to CNN.
According to NBC News, both sides agreed to a 6-7% wage increase effective July 1, and a $2-an-hour raise for employees starting in 2024.
As of Apr. 4, the strike is over, but according to CNN, short-term strikes like the one in Los Angeles “are surging nationwide.”
