For Immediate Release: January 11, 2019

Sympathy strikes happening at several schools

Statement from SEIU Local 99 Executive Director Max Arias:

“As education workers at LAUSD who work every day to ensure that children can learn in a safe, clean, and supportive environment we fully support teachers in their demands for smaller class sizes, increased staffing, and greater investment in our children. We believe that every LAUSD student must have access to an excellent education no matter where they live, where they come from, the color of their skin, or their abilities.

“We understand that the decision to strike is a difficult one but that, ultimately, it is a necessary step to make sure that front line workers are heard in our demands to ensure that all LAUSD students have the resources they need to succeed.

“In the event of a strike, the members of SEIU Local 99, including teacher assistants, special education assistants, custodians, food service workers, bus drivers, campus supervision aides, and others providing essential student services, will be at our school sites to ensure the safety and well being of students. This means that we will abide by all laws and district policies and not perform the work of teachers and other credentialed staff. We will be diligent about reporting any situations or work assignments that may be unlawful or put students or staff in harm’s way, including supervising students without the presence of a teacher or other credentialed staff. We are prepared to refuse assignments that are unlawful or unsafe.

“As parents of LAUSD students and educators, many of us also feel very strongly about the need for urgent change to improve our public schools. That is why several SEIU Local 99 members have also made the courageous decision to strike with teachers.”

In the event of a teacher’s strike, sympathy strikes will be happening at the following schools:

• Carson Senior High School, Carson
• Hadden Avenue Early Education Center, Pacoima
• Hart Street Elementary School, Canoga Park
• Haskell STEAM Magnet Elementary School, Granada Hills
• Herrick Avenue Elementary School, Sylmar
• Liggett Street Elementary School, Panorama City
• Robert F. Kennedy Community Schools, Los Angeles
• Sylmar Senior High School, Sylmar
• 93^rd Elementary School, Los Angeles
• 99^th Elementary School, Los Angeles

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SEIU Local 99 is a union of 35,000 education workers in K-12 schools, early education centers and homes, administrative offices, and community colleges throughout Southern California, including 30,000 cafeteria workers, special education assistants, custodians, bus drivers and others providing essential student services at LAUSD schools. Nearly 50% of SEIU Local 99 members are also parents or guardians of school-aged children. 70% of SEIU 99 members are graduates of LAUSD schools and a great majority are members of the predominantly Black and Latino communities they serve.