Media Alert
For Wednesday, March 22, 2023

Contact:
Maya Polon, maya@paschalroth.com
Maria Elena Jauregui 818.355.5291, mjauregui@servimediainc.com – Spanish language media

Los Angeles, CA – Food Service Workers, Custodians, Special Education Assistants, and thousands of other workers in the Los Angeles Unified School District will be on strike Wednesday as their unfair labor practices strike continues.

“Through pouring rain and gusting wind, LA Unified School District workers’ resolve to protect our rights is only growing stronger; our right to bargain for wages that feed our families and staffing that supports our students is sacred,” said Yoland Reed, a Special Education Assistant. 

Five facts about school workers’ strike at LAUSD:

1. Every worker is entitled to respect. School workers are striking only after LAUSD committed unfair labor practices – subjecting workers to surveillance, intimidation, and harassment during the bargaining process and strike vote.
2. 30,000 school workers who drive school buses, prepare nutritious meals, and support student learning are essential. But instead of being treated that way, LAUSD has grossly underpaid and undervalued their workers, who average 5.4 hours a day and earnings of $25k a year. In response to workers’ demands for living wages, more full-time work, and increased staffing for student services, the school district has responded with harassment of workers.  
3. School workers are 64% Latino 20% Black and 74% Women. Schools should be lifting up workers, not driving inequality.
4. School workers keep our schools clean and safe and support learning, but critical understaffing issues jeopardize their mission.  Adequate staffing levels are another priority for SEIU Local 99 workers in bargaining.
5. SEIU Local 99 members declared an impasse in negotiations in December because the district refused to negotiate. The impasse process continues with the state. However, the filing of unfair practice charges prompted workers to declare a strike. 

“Every time LAUSD bullies workers on the frontlines or in the media, it only shows what workers have to stand up against in their fight for fair pay and adequate staffing of school services. Workers have been clear: LAUSD must respect their workers and a fair bargaining process so we can all move forward together,” said Max Arias, Executive Director of SEIU Local 99.

Latest updates posted here: https://www.seiu99.org/press/

LAUSD Strike Media Availability Events:

Wednesday, March 22

• 4:30 am –  Picket Lines at Gardena Bus Yard 18421 S. Hoover St. Gardena, CA 90248
• 7:00 am – Press Conference & Picketing at Polytechnic High School – 12431 Roscoe Blvd. Sun Valley 91352
• 11:00 am: Rally at LAUSD Local District Office 2151 N. Soto St. Los Angeles, CA 90032

Thursday, March 23

• 4:30 am – Picket Lines at BD Bus Yard 774 E 17th St, Los Angeles, CA 90021
• 7:00 am – Press Conference & Picket Lines at Banneker Career Transition Ctr – 14024 San Pedro St, Los Angeles 90061
• 1:00 pm – Rally – Location to be determined