Students in the Los Angeles Unified School District will return to school on Tuesday after the district successfully reached an agreement with Service Employees International Union Local 99, avoiding a potentially disruptive strike.
Initially, teachers had anticipated that thousands of school workers might strike, which could have led to student absences. As a result, around 390,000 students now wake up to a regular school day instead of a surprise day off.
Local 99 leaders shared on social media that, due to the support and determination of their members, they secured significant gains, such as pay raises, extended hours, enhanced protections against layoffs, and staffing increases. They highlighted the importance of collective action, stating, “This is what collective power looks like.”
Looking ahead to Tuesday, all staff members are expected to report to work as usual.
This agreement marks a crucial resolution, helping to avert a strike in one of the largest school districts in the U.S.
Local 99 represents various essential school workers, including teacher aides, campus aides, custodians, bus drivers, and tech support staff. The new contract includes a 24% salary increase, extended work hours, job security for tech support staff, better medical benefits, and restrictions on subcontracting jobs to external companies.
The district celebrated this agreement early in the morning, expressing gratitude and emphasizing the ongoing collaboration between the district and Local 99 to finalize the agreement’s details. Meanwhile, other teacher unions, including United Teachers Los Angeles, had already reached tentative agreements with the district the prior Sunday.
Mayor Karen Bass intervened during negotiations, ensuring the deal was made, adding her concern about the impact a strike would have on families reliant on childcare while parents work.
