Los Angeles Unified officers are mounting a last-ditch authorized problem to stall or forestall a three-day strike that will shut down school rooms throughout the nation’s second-largest faculty district beginning on Tuesday.
The district has requested state labor regulators to situation an injunction to halt the strike, alleging that it’s unlawful. District sources acknowledged that they don’t know if the state Public Employment Relations Board will act on the submitting in time to stop the strike.
The problem cites the bizarre authorized foundation and timing of the walkout, which might happen earlier than the everyday step-by-step bargaining course of has been accomplished.
The strike is being led by Native 99 of Service Staff Worldwide Union, which represents about 30,000 bus drivers, trainer aides, campus safety aides, particular training assistants, custodians, gardeners and cafeteria employees. Leaders of United Lecturers Los Angeles have inspired their members to hitch the walkout. UTLA represents about 35,000 lecturers, nurses, counselors, therapists and librarians.
Every union is on a separate negotiating observe with L.A. Unified. Native 99 is additional alongside within the course of, having reached the fact-finding stage, in line with paperwork filed with state labor regulators.
Usually, fact-finding can be accomplished earlier than a strike. As well as, either side additionally must current their “final, greatest and ultimate supply.”
However this job motion is completely different.
It’s, in impact, a protest by Native 99 in response to alleged unlawful acts by L.A. Unified that the union claims have impeded its management and members from participating in lawful union-related exercise.
The district denies any wrongdoing. In its submitting, the district accuses Native 99 of utilizing unfounded allegations as a pretext when, actually, the actual situation resulting in the strike is the district’s unwillingness to satisfy the union’s calls for over wages, advantages and different phrases.
The submitting additionally requires an injunction just because sure sure Native 99 members are “important workers” whose absence from work in the course of the strike would “imminently threaten the general public well being and security.”
The L.A. Unified submitting additionally notes that the state labor board “has held that strikes or different work stoppages earlier than completion” of the negotiating course of “violates the union’s responsibility to barter in good religion, and/or to take part in good religion within the deadlock decision course of.”
Native 99 had not had a chance to overview the submitting for the injunction and didn’t present a right away response early Friday night.
A settlement that will forestall the strike appeared unlikely Friday as no negotiations befell between L.A. Unified officers and Native 99.
The lecturers union bargained with the district on Friday, however a settlement in these negotiations additionally appeared unlikely. And, even a settlement with UTLA wouldn’t forestall Native 99 members from strolling out.
Native 99 final held a bargaining session with the district on March 1. L.A. colleges Supt. Alberto Carvalho mentioned this week that he and his workforce are able to assembly with Native 99 “across the clock” to stop a strike.
He urged the union to not undertake a step that will additional hurt college students already struggling to get well academically and emotionally from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Union officers recommend the hassle was insincere and too little, too late.
“Greater than half of SEIU Native 99 members are additionally mother and father of school-aged kids, a lot of them college students at LAUSD,” spokeswoman Blanca Gallegos mentioned Friday. “We’re keenly conscious of the impression {that a} strike may have on our households. LAUSD has pushed employees to take this step due to their continued disrespect of employees who’re merely searching for to enhance their livelihoods and the scholar providers they supply.”
She added: “SEIU Native 99 additionally continues to observe the authorized mediation course of with the state. If LAUSD desires to interrupt the deadlock course of, they need to meet employees’ calls for for a dwelling wage, elevated hours, extra staffing and respect on the job.”
The union is searching for an across-the-board 30% improve plus an extra $2 per hour for the bottom paid employees.
The district had been providing a 15% improve over three years plus one-time bonuses of 4% and 5% in consecutive years.
On Friday, the district amended its provided:
- 5% one-time bonus for the 2020-21 faculty 12 months
- 5% ongoing improve for 2021-22
- 5% ongoing improve for 2022-23
- 6% ongoing improve for 2023-23
- 3% ongoing improve for 2024-25
In the meantime, the varsity system, the town, the county and native teams proceed to organize contingency plans for a walkout.
L.A. Unified has launched obtain.lausd.web/schoolupdates to supply sources for households in the course of the work stoppage interval. Updates and extra info shall be posted “because it turns into accessible,” in line with the varsity system.
The web site contains info concerning studying actions, Seize & Go meals areas, tutoring providers, enrichment actions and cultural alternatives throughout Los Angeles and Los Angeles County Park areas that may present free youth packages.
Principals additionally will contact households each day to supply pertinent updates, the district said.
The varsity system additionally will publish updates on social media.
