LAUSD Members: See Everything We Won in Our Historic Contract + Calculate Your Raise

The agreement first needs to be ratified (approved) by SEIU Local 99 members and the LAUSD school board. Members will be voting April 3-7 and the school board is expected to vote in mid-April. As soon as the agreement is ratified, it will go into effect. We must continue to push the district to ensure the raises, bonus, and retroactive checks are paid as soon as possible after ratification.

Do the wage increases expire? In 2024, would we only see $2 per hour or the whole 30% raise in our paychecks?

The percentage raises do not expire. They are ongoing. That means they accumulate each year. So, in 2024 you would see the cumulative 20% wage increases from 2021-23, plus the $2/hour.

How will the retroactive pay be calculated?

It will be calculated going back to July 1 for wage increases for years 2021-2022 & 2022-2023

Is the retroactive pay going to be included in our regular paycheck? Or a separate check? Will it be paid in one lump sum or in installments?

Retroactive pay will be included in the regular paycheck and will be paid in one lump sum.

Will three-hour workers also receive the pay raise, retroactive pay and benefits?

All workers covered by SEIU Local 99’s contracts (Units B, C, F, G) will receive the wage increases and retroactive pay. Workers working 4 or more hours will be eligible for the fully paid health care benefits, including dependent coverage.

What about workers who are on probation or are substitutes, will they also get the raise, bonus, and retroactive pay.

Yes. The agreement covers all eligible workers represented by SEIU Local 99.

Who is eligible for the $1000 bonus?

All members who worked during the 2020-21 school year will receive the $1000 bonus. This includes those who worked remotely and those who worked on the front lines while schools were closed during the pandemic/.

If workers just left the district or retired, will they be able to get the back pay?

The raises, bonus, and retroactive pay are only available to those currently employed by LAUSD in job classifications represented by SEIU Local 99. If you are planning to leave the school district or retire this school year, you are still eligible to receive the additional pay.

Are the 7-hour shifts for special education assistants mandatory?

No. Special Education Assistants assigned fewer than 7 hours/day will be offered the opportunity to be assigned 7 hours/day. They will have the option to accept the additional hour(s) or maintain their current assignment.

When do the 7-hour shifts for special education assistants take effect?

The option for 7-hour assignments for special education assistants is effective January 1, 2024.

Does the option for 7-hour shifts also include Health Care Assistants and Special Education Trainees?

The option for 7-hour shifts is only extended to Special Education Assistants and Trainees.

Are employees that were 8 hours going to lose their 1 hour?

The 7-hour shifts offered to special education assistants only impact those who are currently working less than 7-hours. It will not impact workers who are working 8-hours.

Is the 5.5% Special Education Assistant differential for providing additional behavioral intervention support duties on top of the raise? When will the Special Education Assistant differential pay start?

The BII differential pay is in addition to the pay raises. It is effective as soon as ratification is complete.

Will hours be increased for workers who are not Special Education Assistants?

The agreement allows for SEIU Local 99 members to continue in discussions with LAUSD about increasing work hours through the Labor Management Committee process. Through Labor Management Committees, members can continue to address and resolve issues, including hours, staffing levels, schedule changes and more when we are not in contract negotiations. Members are encouraged to join a Labor Management Committee to ensure that issues impacting your specific job classification are heard. To learn more about joining a Labor Management Committee, contact the Member Resource Center at MemberResourceCenter@seiu99.org. It is also important for members to join your school site council to ensure that staffing, workload and other concerns are heard and addressed at the worksite level.

What about unassigned days?

Members will continue to address the issue of unassigned days through the Labor Management Committees. Members are encouraged to join a Labor Management Committee to ensure our voices are heard even when we are not in full contract negotiations. Contact the Member Resource Center at MemberResourceCenter@seiu99.org.

How many hours do you have to work to be eligible for health care benefits?

Workers with a regular assignment of at least four hours are eligible for health care benefits, including dependent coverage, this includes workers in Unit F (Teacher Assistants) and Unit G (Community Representatives, After School Program Workers, and others) who were previously excluded from family health care benefits.

If you work under two different job codes, can the hours from the two different job classifications be added together to qualify for benefits?

No. Hours from two different job classifications cannot be combined to be eligible for benefits. This is an issue we must continue to raise in future negotiations.

If I am at the top of my salary cap for my position, will the cap be lifted so that I am eligible for the raise? Is everyone getting the 30% or is the increase only on the base salary?

The wage increases apply to all workers represented by SEIU Local 99, no matter where you are on the pay scale. This historic agreement lifts the ceiling on wage caps.

How does this contract affect workplace mistreatment?

The fight for respect was a major issue. This agreement includes breakthrough language that allows workers to file grievances over issues of bullying, disrespect, and harassment on the job. This will require that the district take these issues seriously and ensure that workers are compensated for mistreatment on the job.

Will we support teachers if they go on strike?

The solidarity and support of United Teachers Los Angeles was powerful. Ultimately, SEIU Local 99 members would need to vote on striking with teachers. Our new agreement allows for solidarity strikes so SEIU Local 99 would be able to join a lawful strike with teachers.

How will the education fund work? How can I take advantage of classes to advance my career at LAUSD?

LAUSD will set-aside $3 million expressly for the training and professional development of SEIU Local 99 members. A fund will be created and SEIU Local 99 members will be able make decisions on the programs and training that will be paid by this fund. The fund will be set-up upon ratification of the agreement and more information will be available as it is implemented.

What is the status of LAUSD’s legal complaint claiming the strike was illegal?

LAUSD filed a legal complaint in an attempt to silence workers and stop the strike. Workers demonstrated that they will not be intimidated. The complaint continues in the legal process. It does not affect the raises or other gains we made in the agreement.

What is the duration of the contract?

The agreement that was just negotiated covers 2020-24. Remember, we had to suspend contract negotiations in 2020 to address pandemic issues. That is why the agreement covers past years. That means next year we will be going back into bargaining to continue to win improvements to our wages, hours, and working conditions.