In brief
The Los Angeles Unified School District has dodged a significant strike threat as the district reached a tentative agreement with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 99 early Tuesday. This agreement includes substantial benefits such as salary raises, increased hours for staff, protections against layoffs, and a commitment to stop subcontracting. Students can attend school as usual, and all three unions representing around 70,000 workers have pledged support, marking a collective victory for the staff involved. The agreement comes after unions had prepared for a strike that could have disrupted education for nearly 400,000 students.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A significant strike threatening Los Angeles schools has been averted thanks to a new tentative agreement reached early Tuesday between the school district and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 99. This crucial agreement will benefit nearly 400,000 students in Southern California, allowing schools to remain open.
SEIU Local 99 celebrated the outcome on social media, noting the “major gains” secured in the deal, including salary raises and additional hours for support staff. The union also highlighted improvements such as protections against subcontracting and a halt to IT layoffs, alongside commitments to boost staffing levels.
Local 99 urged its members to report to work as usual on Tuesday, acknowledging the collective effort alongside other unions and the Los Angeles community in achieving this victory. Many teachers and principals had been prepared to strike, showing solidarity and support as the situation unfolded.
This agreement marks a significant milestone for the district, as it includes all three unions representing around 70,000 workers. Never before have all three unions attempted a simultaneous strike. During previous walkouts, administrators took on responsibilities to keep schools operational, reflecting the strength of union solidarity in Los Angeles education. The stakes were high, but with the new agreement, both educators and students can continue their important work without interruption.
