For Immediate Release: June 10, 2014

Contact: Blanca Gallegos 213-387-8393 ext 219; bgallegos@seiu99.org

SEIU Local 99 Endorses Alex Johnson for LAUSD School Board District 1

SEIU Local 99 members voted to support Alex Johnson following a town hall meeting on June 9 where both candidates were interviewed by members. SEIU Local 99 Executive Director, Courtni Pugh, issued the following statement on SEIU Local 99’s endorsement:

“The Custodians, Cafeteria Workers, Special Education Assistants, Bus Drivers and other workers who provide essential supports and services to the students of LAUSD are proud to endorse Alex Johnson for School Board.

“Mr. Johnson understands that we must address the needs of the whole child to ensure their success in school. He knows that it is difficult for a child to learn when they are hungry or sick or sacred and that our schools must do more to address the issues outside the classroom that impact learning in the classroom.”

“He has also consistently demonstrated that he values the contributions of classified employees in our schools. He understands that it takes an entire team to deliver a quality education and has made solid commitments to ensuring that every child has the staffing and resources to learn in a clean, safe, and supportive environment.

“Alex Johnson also stands firmly behind efforts to end poverty in education. As the District debates how to best address the needs of our most vulnerable children, we need a leader who will invest in creating a stable and safe environment — both in our schools and communities — by ensuring that working families at LAUSD earn a minimum living wage of $15 per hour.

“SEIU Local 99 members considered this endorsement not only as school employees, but also as parents of children at LAUSD. Thousands of SEIU members live in District 1 and have children attending schools in the District. We believe Alex Johnson has a deep understanding of the needs of our families, the vision to implement new strategies that will address the specific needs of our communities, and the experience to work in collaboration with everyone involved in our children’s education.”

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SEIU Local 99 represents nearly 45,00 education workers in K-12 schools, early education centers, and community colleges throughout Southern California, including more than 30,000 custodians, cafeteria workers, special education assistants, bus drivers and others providing essential student services at LAUSD. Nearly 50% of SEIU Local 99 members are also parents or guardians of school-aged children.