Unions representing tens of thousands of workers in the Los Angeles Unified School District say they will stage a three-day strike next week that would shut down classes in the nation's second-largest school district.
The Los Angeles Times reports that union leaders held a downtown rally Wednesday where they announced that the walkout would begin Tuesday. District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho urged union leadership to negotiate “around the clock” to avert the strike.
The walkout would be led by Local 99 of the Service Employees International Union, which represents about 30,000 workers including bus drivers, custodians, cafeteria and other food service workers, campus security aides, teaching assistants and aides for students with disabilities.
In a show of solidarity, United Teachers Los Angeles would also strike. The teachers union represents 35,000 teachers, counselors, therapists, nurses and librarians.
Carvalho says that Local 99 has failed to respond to the district’s two most recent offers.
A spokesperson for Local 99 says that blame for the stalled talks lies with the district.
Leaders of Local 99 recently declared an impasse in bargaining and are moving through the mediation and fact-finding process. The union, which has yet to settle wage issues dating to the 2020-21 school year, is seeking a 30% increase for all members, with an additional boost for the lowest-wage workers.
