As the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and the United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) continue to be at odds over labor contract negotiations, the impact of the teacher’s strike on students and the community cannot be overlooked. With UTLA demanding a 20% pay raise, smaller class sizes, and more funding for student mental-health services, the district’s offer of a 19% raise over 3 years, retroactive to July 2022, has been rejected by the union, which has asked its members to boycott faculty meetings until an agreement is reached. While the district’s offer also includes increases for other essential personnel, such as nurses and school psychologists, UTLA argues that it does not provide educators with a living wage and fails to address the staffing shortage that affects students’ access to critical services.
Superintendent Alberto Carvalho expressed his optimism that negotiations are ongoing, but the impact of the strike on the education of children cannot be ignored. In times of government shutdown, crucial positions such as police and fire departments continue to perform their duties and work through disagreements, ensuring the safety and well-being of the community. However, with teachers on strike, children are left behind, bargaining with their future as they miss out on valuable education and support. This is especially concerning after the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted learning for many students, and now they are faced with another setback due to the ongoing labor dispute.
What makes the situation even more outrageous is the cruel nature of withholding education from children as a negotiation tactic. While other essential services continue to function, teachers, under union leadership, leave the children behind. Education is a fundamental right for every child, and it should not be used as a bargaining chip in labor negotiations. The impact of this strike on students, especially those who are already vulnerable and in need of support, cannot be understated.
Furthermore, the fact that UTLA joined the Service Employees International Union Local 99 (SEIU) strike in solidarity, but has yet to reach a deal of its own contract agreement with the district, raises concerns about the priorities of the union. While the SEIU strike resulted in a “historic” labor agreement that effectively met their demand for a 30% pay raise, UTLA’s insistence on a 20% pay raise, even after the district’s offer of a 19% raise, calls into question the true motivation behind the strike. Is it truly about the well-being of students and education, or is it solely focused on monetary gains for the teachers?
It is essential to acknowledge that the district’s offer includes increases for other essential personnel, such as nurses and school psychologists, recognizing their important role in supporting students’ well-being and academic success. However, UTLA’s rejection of the offer and continued demands for more money at the expense of children’s education is deeply concerning. It sends a message that the union’s priorities lie elsewhere, and the well-being of students and the education system is not at the forefront of their agenda.
As the negotiations between LAUSD and UTLA continue, it is crucial to prioritize the needs of students and ensure that their right to education is not compromised. Leaving children behind, using education as a bargaining chip, and disrupting the academic progress of students is not a justifiable means of negotiation. The strike, led by the union, must consider the long-term impact on students and find a resolution that prioritizes their education and well-being, while also addressing the concerns of teachers. It is time to put the children first and ensure that they are not left behind in this labor dispute.
LAUSD, teachers union both speak out as both sides remain at odds following offer rejection by UTLA
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With totally failed schools, massive decline in enrollment, the teachers have just refused a 19% wage increase. Yet the unions and the union owned school board of the LAUSD still can not come to an agreement for a new contract.
“Contract demands issued by UTLA include a 20% pay raise, smaller class sizes, and more funding for student mental-health services.
The district’s offer to the teachers was a 19% raise over 3 years, retroactive to July of 2022. The offer also has increases for nurses, school psychologists and other essential personnel.
“We have made a very compelling offer that elevates the stats of our support staff,” said Carvalho. “And I’m seeing quite frankly an engaging dynamic process that may resolve in an outcome that prevents any impact to our schools.”
Why the smaller class sizes? With fewer students there is less of a need for teachers—this is about saving union jobs, not education of the kids.
LAUSD, teachers union both speak out as both sides remain at odds following offer rejection by UTLA
By Sid Garcia , ABC7/ 4/14/23
LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho says he is heartened that the district and United Teachers Los Angeles remain at the negotiating table, even though the union has rejected the district’s latest offer and asked its members to boycott faculty meetings until a labor contract agreement is reached.
“Actually, I’m heartened by the fact that we continue to be at the table, we continue to negotiate,” Carvalho said to Eyewitness News.
Contract demands issued by UTLA include a 20% pay raise, smaller class sizes, and more funding for student mental-health services.
The district’s offer to the teachers was a 19% raise over 3 years, retroactive to July of 2022. The offer also has increases for nurses, school psychologists and other essential personnel.
“We have made a very compelling offer that elevates the stats of our support staff,” said Carvalho. “And I’m seeing quite frankly an engaging dynamic process that may resolve in an outcome that prevents any impact to our schools.”
In a written statement to Eyewitness News, the UTLA says, in part, “As it stands, this deal doesn’t provide educators with a living wage nor does it address the egregious staffing shortage that leaves too many students without access to a counselor, a social worker, or a school psychologist.”
Last week, thousands of LAUSD service workers overwhelmingly approved what has been described as a “historic” labor agreement.
Members of the Service Employees International Union Local 99 cast ballots on the proposed contract in-person and online from April 3-7. The agreement was reached March 24 following a strike that shuttered the nation’s second-largest school district for three days.
That contract effectively met the union’s demand for a 30% pay raise, and also includes bonus payments, retroactive pay and fully paid health benefits.
UTLA joined the SEIU strike in solidarity, but have yet to reach a deal of their own contract agreement with the district.
