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The
Los Angeles Unified School District and the Service Employees
International Union Local 99 failed to reach an agreement during
the work stoppage, which ended on Thursday with another day of
picketing and rallies by striking bus drivers, custodians,
cafeteria workers and other low-wage earners.
"All @LASchools will reopen this Friday, March 24. ... We look
forward to seeing our students and employees back in
classrooms," the school district said on Twitter on Thursday.
Some 30,000 workers, backed by 35,000 unionized teachers who
honored their picket line, walked off the job on Tuesday seeking
an increase to what they call poverty wages averaging $25,000
per year.
The work stoppage was the latest in a series of job actions by
educators across the United States who have complained of
burnout and low wages, leading to a teacher shortage in many
parts of the country.
"We're three days in and I'm willing to do some more (strike)
days if we have to," said Tiffany Barba, a special education
assistant and one of thousands who attended a closing rally on
Thursday at Los Angeles State Historic Park.
Many workers anticipated an agreement might be announced at the
rally but no such news was released.
"It's a long process. We don't want to sign something that we
might regret later," said Orasio Morales, a driver and union
shop steward.
The union was demanding a 30% salary increase plus an additional
$2 per hour for the lowest-paid workers, the Los Angeles Times
reported.
L.A. schools superintendent Alberto Carvalho, who acknowledged
workers have been underpaid for years, told reporters on Monday
the district had offered a 23% raise plus a 3% bonus.
(Reporting by Jorge Garcia in Los Angeles and Daniel Trotta in
Carlsbad, Calif.; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)
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