A strike could happen Tuesday in the Los Angeles Unified School District unless an agreement is reached with all three unions.
The unions currently on board with a tentative agreement are United Teachers Los Angeles and the Associated Administrators of Los Angeles Teamsters.
LAUSD, the nation’s second-largest school district, was still negotiating with Service Employees International Union Local 99 as of Monday afternoon.
“Members are hoping to avert a strike. But after two years of negotiations with no movement from the district, they are ready to take strong action to improve their livelihoods and the student services they provide,” said Blanca Gallegos, communications director for SEIU Local 99.
“SEIU Local 99 members are asking for wages that will lift them above poverty, increased hours to ensure students have the services they need, more staffing for student services, and an end to the subcontracting of work to for-profit corporations that have no accountability to the district or community,” Gallegos told The Center Square on Monday.
Gina Gray, a high school English teacher and UTLA member, said if SEIU Local 99 does not reach a tentative agreement, her union will stand in solidarity with their “brothers and sisters” at Local 99.
“We will not cross their lines,” Gray told The Center Square.
The tentative agreement reached with UTLA would increase their members’ salary scales by 11.65%. The tentative agreement would also increase the beginning salary for a teacher to $77,00 per year.
Gray called it a step in the right direction, adding that UTLA is “happy with the tentative agreement.”
In March, Gray told The Center Square that unions were “demanding” that the district invest in schools, salaries, students, and communities. According to Gray, LAUSD has the money, but schools have been “suffering” due to underinvestment.
“We have evidence that shows where our district has been investing in private equity and in tech,” said Gray. “We know our district has the funds. It’s just about the priorities now.”
Gray said more staff support would mean a lot amid the affordability crisis in Los Angeles.
She noted 21% of full-time faculty and staff would qualify for affordable housing in California.
“We have many teachers, new teachers who can’t afford to live and work in the communities they serve,” said Gray in March.
Pointing to the tentative agreement with LAUSD, Gray said Monday that UTLA has been sharing it in area meetings. She applauded union officials for their hard work.
“The bargaining team was at it until the wee hours of the morning,” Gray said Monday. “It was a hard battle, but we’re happy.’
After being contacted by The Center Square, LAUSD pointed to a statement on its website saying that it will continue to meet with labor partners “with the intent to reach additional agreements” that would allow schools to remain open on Tuesday.