Over the weekend, two of the three unions planning to strike on Tuesday reached tentative labor deals. Both UTLA and AALA have negotiated and compromised with LAUSD to increase salaries by about 11 percent on average. However, SEIU is still negotiating terms and conditions with the district, and without an agreement, a strike will still begin tomorrow.
“This is the final countdown—and the district is still hoping we won’t show up. But we’ve organized. We’ve built unity. And we’re ready. Tomorrow, WE WALK,” SEIU posted on their Instagram around 10 a.m. today.
There are many people who support SEIU as they strive for a fair and equitable contract.
“If the strike happens, I plan to be here on the picket line with my children in the morning,” AMPA counselor Ms. Schwartz said. “I will be out there supporting the local 99 for as long as it takes to get their contract.”
Still, there are many students and teachers questioning whether or not the strike will happen and what it entails. Many teachers have shared their concerns about how the strike’s duration will affect classes and routine learning.
Dr. Adegbesan, an Algebra 2 teacher in SAS, shared his joint support with UTLA and concern for his classes. “The strike is to support UTLA; I know it takes students away from their academics, but I also know it is a joint effort to improve the economic situations of the teachers and staff,” he said.
SAS Biology Teacher Mr. Garcia shared a similar sentiment. “As a member of the union, I’m behind it, if that’s what they feel is necessary to get what they want, but it’s not necessarily something I want to do.”
He shared his concerns for his students. “The biggest issue is gonna be AP Biology, since the dates for the AP test are set and don’t change,” he said. “To my understanding, it just cuts into the time we could be prepping for the AP test.”
Teachers expressed hope about the agreement they reached with the district, celebrating an increased salary for employees and an increase in resources for the schools and for students.
“One of the big things I was really excited to see was more PSAs and PSWs for school sites, and then the better ratio for our counselors,” Mx. Donabedian, the CAA ceramic teacher, said. “If there’s anybody that we need more of on campus, [it’s] people to help us and help you guys.”
As time for negotiations before the April 14 deadline runs out, many have been operating on the assumption that the strike will happen. In preparation for the unknown number of days of striking, teachers have been wrapping up big lessons, pushing work until after the strike ends, and giving their students resources to study. Teachers say they will be on strike with SEIU Local 99 as long as necessary.
