In an effort to send the district a “wake-up call,” campus workers for the Los Angeles Unified School District staged an informational picket on Thursday morning.
Max Arias, Executive Director of education-worker labor union Service Employees International Union Local 99, said the picketing was the start of the process in the pursuit of a new contract for campus frontline workers ahead of the June expiration of the current one, which was signed last year. The contract affects district employees including cafeteria workers, custodians and security.
“We’re restarting our contract campaign,” he said. “This is really starting our process and making sure the district understands that our members need a living wage.”
Arias said the picketing also served as a protest against the district for cutting the hours of workers who provide safety and security to students — a cut he called unlawful.
The district and union agreed to a 30% raise after a three-day strike last year, but Arias says its “absolutely” not enough.
“That 30% increase got us about $33,000 on the average,” he said. “Let’s remind everyone: the poverty line for a family of four in L.A. is $36,900. We need to at least get there, and then beyond.”
Another strike isn’t necessarily imminent despite the picketing. Arias said that if LAUSD listens to the workers then there should be no strike.
“At the end of the day this is additional services for students that we’re talking about,” he said. “We’re hopeful as we begin negotiations next month that they’ll listen this time and we’ll get something back soon.”
LAUSD did not immediately respond to a formal request for comment from KTLA.