In July, our union sent all employers a demand to bargain over their plans for returning to school and any changes they plan to make due to COVID-19. All of our negotiations with employers are being guided by our Principles for Reopening Schools. Here is an update on our discussions with employers
SEIU Local 99 was part of a partnership with Governor Gavin Newsom that also included teachers, school boards, superintendents and principals that worked together to set-up guidelines for how we will work together to ensure instruction, student services, and safety all continue during school closures. The state guidelines specifically say that “All pay and [...]
On March 18, 2020, the U.S. Congress passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act ("Act"). For California public agencies, including K-12 school districts and colleges, the Act includes two provisions that will immediately impact employees affected by the COVID-19 pandemic: the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act and Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act [...]
On February 26, community members took our fight for charter accountability to the workplaces, businesses, and educational institutions of the members of The Accelerated Schools (TAS) Board of Trustees. Trustees choose to ignore our community when we attend board meetings, so we took the community to them.
Our actions are making a difference at TAS and obligating them to follow the law when it comes to being open and inclusive of our community. On December 30, 2019, open records activist and professor Michael Kohlhass filed a petition asking for TAS to comply with his six prior requests for the schools’ public records. He also sent a letter on December 19, 2019, requesting TAS cease and desist with their illegal practices and violations of the Brown Act or face further legal action.
On December 5, South LA parents, community members, and residents descended at the Accelerated Schools (TAS) board meeting to present a list of urgent community demands. The board also made the callous decision to hire four, private armed guards to welcome the community for a regular, public board meeting. It is clear our demands are more relevant than ever. Let’s continue to stand together to hold charter schools like TAS accountable!
Last month we sent out a call to march on the Accelerated Schools in our efforts to bring justice to our beloved community of South LA. When we arrived, we were prepared to give our testimony for a second time after TAS canceled September’s meeting abruptly. The TAS board preferred to shut down the entire meeting instead of listening to the voices of our community.
On October 14, SEIU Local 99 filed unfair labor practices charges with the Public Employees Relations Board regarding the dismissal of Hilda Rodriguez-Guzman at the Accelerated Schools. Hilda served as Local 99's shop steward and Health Services Coordinator at TAS for over a decade. We are attending TAS next board meeting on October 24 at 10am to speak out in support of Hilda. Join us!
On August 29, dozens of South LA community members, TAS parents and alumni came together to demand that the Board of Trustees return Hilda to her position as Health Services Coordinator. Over ten community members spoke powerfully and directly to the Board about how Hilda has touched their lives and urged the board to reconsider its abrupt termination of Hilda.
Hilda Rodriguez-Guzman is a valued South LA community resident, mother, educator, and, up until July 2019, a dedicated Health Services Coordinator at The Accelerated Schools. After 10 years of serving our students and families, Hilda was suddenly and unfairly let go by TAS. We believe Hilda was let go in retaliation for her activism. We condemn retaliation against an employee for union activism. Parents, community, students, and staff are demanding TAS bring Hilda back.
