SEIU Local 99 Members Serving on the MAOF LMC: 

• Santa Tapia, Home Visitor 

• Debra Gomez, Teacher I, Pico Rivera Center 

• Zarina Yescas, Head Teacher, Beta Vista Center 

• Luz Maria, Home Visitor 

• Amelia Soto, FSA Enrollment Specialist, Zoe Center 

• Maria Hernandez Valdez, Home Maker, Telegraph Center 

• Aurora Luna, EHS Teacher II, Ford Center 

• Juan Orozco, FSA Enrollment Specialist, Santa Fe Center 

✊ Fighting for Fairness, Respect, and Real Answers at MAOF 

At our April 29 meeting with MAOF management, your SEIU Local 99 team came ready to raise your voice and push for the changes we need. From pay increases to support in the classroom, we made it clear: we are here to win improvements for every worker. 

💵 COLAs: Where Are They? 

We asked management when the Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) for USDA- and CCPS-funded programs will actually reach workers.  

Funding should be available by now, where is it? Our members deserve those raises now, not later. Delays are unacceptable when the cost of everything is going up. 

🧒 Support for Special Needs Students: Teachers & TAs Need Help 

The State regulation mandates a ratio of 1:2 students' ratio and SEIU Local 99 Members expressed that Teachers and TAs are being overwhelmed and left without clear guidance or resources. We want acknowledgment of these impacts and that MAOF begin working with staff on better support plans that respect both the children's needs and the workers' well-being. 

We must increase Teacher/Assistant ratios to address the increased workload for Teachers and Teacher Assistants due to a significant rise in the enrollment of children with behavioral health issues. 

🗣️ DLL Program Concerns 

Members continued to advocate for the needs of the students and identified the ongoing concerns surrounding the Dual Language Learner (DLL) program.  

Members reported that rolling out a program without proper support is setting staff and students up to fail. We're calling for clear guidelines and real preparation, not just more pressure on staff. 

The new Dual Language Learner (DLL) program is requiring 90% Spanish and 10% English instruction, particularly for those not fluent in Spanish. 

🌿 Vacation & Wellness Time: It's Time for a Real Break 

Your LMC team brought up the need for clarity and consistency around Vacation Wellness Time policies.  

Wellness time is your right—and we are demanding transparency and protection around how it's approved and accessed.  

We all need time to recharge and stay healthy. A suggestion was put forward to create a dedicated "Wellness bank" of time for members to use for reflection and rejuvenation to help prevent burnout. 

📆 What's Next? 

🗓️ Next LMC Meeting 

 Wednesday, June 25, 2025 

 🕑 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM 

 📍 MAOF Headquarters 

💪 Let's Keep Building Power Together 

📞 Got a concern? Reach out to any member of the Labor Management Committee or contact: 

Our new team member Jose Roberto Hernandez, at jrhernandez@seiu99.org or via phone at 213-876-9655. Jose is SEIU Local 99 Strategic Campaign Director. 

🟣 Not a member yet? Join today at seiu99.org/join to help us win the respect and improvements we all deserve. 

Together, we are making MAOF a better workplace for everyone! 💜