Contact: Maya Polon, 916.444.7614

Maria Elena Jauregui 818.355.5291, Spanish language media

LOS ANGELES, CA – As 30,000 school workers in Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) prepare to go on strike over unfair labor practices, the Service Employees International Union Local 99 released the following statement from Max Arias, Executive Director of SEIU Local 99:

“This afternoon, SEIU Local 99 had agreed to enter a confidential mediation process with LAUSD to try and address our differences. Unfortunately, LAUSD broke that confidentiality by sharing it with the media before our bargaining team, which makes all decisions, had a chance to discuss how to proceed. This is yet another example of the school district’s continued disrespect of school workers. We are ready to strike.

“We want to be clear that we are not in negotiations with LAUSD. We continue to be engaged in the impasse process with the state.”

School workers represented by SEIU Local 99 voted overwhelmingly (96% in favor) to authorize a strike last month. During the strike vote and contract bargaining process, the district subjected workers to surveillance, intimidation, and harassment. The strike will begin at 4:30 am Tuesday, March 21 and continue through Thursday March 23.

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SEIU Local 99 is a union of 50,000 education workers in K-12 schools, early education centers and homes, 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.