UTLA Strike

UTLA STRIKE

Resources for SEIU Local 99 Members

Frequently Asked Questions

Report Violations

Strike Updates

Photos

UTLA STRIKE

Resources for SEIU Local 99 Members

Frequently Asked Questions

Report Violations

Strike Updates

Photos

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We Support Teachers!

After almost two years of contract negotiations, teachers and LAUSD have not been able to reach an agreement. Teachers are fighting for lower class sizes, more nurses and counselors, and greater investment in our kids. That’s why they began striking on January 14, 2019. 

We know the power of workers making the courageous decision to strike in order to be heard. We know that we can only ensure a quality education for all students when we stand together.  That is why we support teachers in their fight for the schools our students deserve.

Sympathy Strike with Teachers

SEIU Local 99 members at several schools have led sympathy strikes—when one union strikes in support of another—in solidarity with striking teachers. Many more members have expressed an interest in sympathy striking at their school. It is still possible to hold one. If you are interested in leading a sympathy strike at your school, please click or tap on the button below to let us know.

Our school wants to have a sympathy strike

An organizer will contact you to talk about the process and go over your rights and the potential risks. At least 80% of your co-workers must commit to a sympathy strike by signing a petition.

Please be aware that striking is different from  joining the picket lines on your own time. You can join the picket lines before or after school or during your unpaid breaks. Going on a sympathy strike means you join the picket lines and do not report to work and do not get paid while you are on strike.

Sympathy Strikes Coming Up

Sympathy strikes by SEIU Local 99 members will be happening at the following schools:

  • Liechman Career Transition Center (1 day – 1/22)
  • 7th St. Elementary School  (1 day-1/22)
  • Banning High School (1 day-1/22)
  • Solano Elementary (1 day-1/22)
  • Mayberry Elementary (1 day-1/22)
  • Glassell Park Elementary (1 day-1/22)
  • Cantara St. Elementary (1 day-1/22)
  • Cabrillo Ave. Elementary (1 day-1/22)
  • Hamasaki Elementary (3 days – 1/22, 1/23, 1/24)
  • Venice High School (1 day -1/22)
  • Canterbury Elementary (1 day-1/22)
  • Sun Valley Magnet (1 day-1/22)
  • Haddon Ave Elementary (1 day-1/22)
  • Telfair Elementary (2 days – 1/22 & 1/23)
  • Broadous Elementary (1 day-1/22)
  • Fair Ave Elementary (1 day-1/22)
  • O’Melveny Elementary (1 day-1/22)
  • Lassen Elementary (1 day-1/22)
  • Olive Vista Middle School (1 day-1/22)
  • Anatola Avenue Elementary (1 day-1/22)
  • Dyer St. Elementary (2 days – 1/22 & 1/23)
  • Kester Ave. Elementary (1 day – 1/22)
  • Saticoy Elementary (1 day – 1/22)
  • Erwin St. Elementary (1 day-1/22)
  • Sherman Oaks Elementary (1 day-1/22)

Strike Updates

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are questions raised by SEIU Local 99 members that our union’s bargaining team has been addressing with LAUSD. We understand that now that teachers are on strike, many more questions may arise that aren’t covered here. Contact SEIU Local 99 with those questions. Report any questions, concerns, or violations to the union office by calling 213.637.0296 or report the violation via the form on this page.

Download this FAQ as a PDF | Lea las preguntas en Español

According to the California Education Code, classified employees, including Food Service Workers, Teaching Assistants, Special Education Assistants, Campus Aides, Playground Supervisors, Custodians or others, cannot do the work of teachers or other credentialed staff. If you are given an assignment, which requires a teaching credential, you have the right to refuse it by following these steps:

  • Clearly tell the principal or supervisor that the assignment requires that a teacher or certificated staff person be present.
  • Ask for the assignment in writing.
  • If the principal or supervisor refuses to put it in writing or give you a new assignment, do not refuse the work unless you believe it is unsafe for you or students or violates the law.
  • If you believe the assignment is unsafe or unlawful, tell the principal or supervisor that you are refusing the assignment because you believe it puts you or students in an unsafe situation or violates the law.
  • Document what happened and report it to SEIU Local 99 immediately.

Under the California Education Code, teachers have the primary responsibility of supervising students on their way to and from school, on the playground, and during recess. This means that non-certificated school employees cannot be assigned supervision duties in the absence of a certificated teacher. Teacher Assistants, Special Education Assistants, Classroom Aides, Campus Aides, and any other SEIU Local 99 member has the right to refuse an assignment if a teacher or certificated administrator is not present. It is the District’s obligation to assign responsibility for class supervision and instruction to an employee with a teaching credential.

Our contract also states that “no employee shall be required to perform clearly identifiable struck work of employees of a different bargaining unit.” This means that you should not be asked or assigned to perform any duties that are the responsibility of a teacher, including classroom or student supervision. You have the right to refuse such an assignment by following the steps in question #1.

If you are asked to perform work outside of your job classification and the assignment is safe and lawful, you should perform the work, but document the assignment and report it to SEIU Local 99. You may be entitled to additional pay for the work you are doing.

You should not refuse this assignment unless you believe it is unsafe for you or students. You can refuse the assignment by following the steps in question #1.

The District has stated that food service staff will continue supporting food service programs and will not be assigned to a classroom. The priority is to feed the students. However, there may be a need to adjust schedules to respond to any meal service changes during the strike.

The District has made it clear that securing the campus is not the same as serving as a security guard. Building & Grounds Workers may be asked to secure parts of the campus and attend to the gates. A Principal may also ask a BGW or SFA to secure the campus. If you are given an assignment that you feel is unsafe, you can refuse it by following the steps listed in question #1.

According to the District, if the gates are secured in some way, M&O staff may be asked to unsecure them. If you feel the assignment is unsafe, you can refuse it by following the steps listed in question #1.

The site administrator will determine how staff will be assigned during a work stoppage. According to the District, the priority will be to have staff familiar with the students with disabilities work with those students. The District also states that all students who require toileting assistance, including students with disabilities (SWD), will be provided appropriate assistance for their toileting needs. If there is a problem, the employee should notify their assigned supervisor, and if not remedied, that person’s supervisor. In case of a medical emergency, call 911. If you are given an assignment that you believe is unsafe or unlawful, follow the steps in question #1.

The District and the law both state that all students, including students with disabilities, must have ultimate supervision by certificated staff. If you are given an assignment that you feel violates this provision, refuse the assignment and report it using the steps in question #1.

You should follow your supervisor’s direction and go home and report it to SEIU Local 99 immediately. It is our union’s position that during the strike the district should pay you for your regularly scheduled hours even if you are directed to go home or the school is closed.

Our contract with LAUSD is currently in effect and, therefore, you should not strike or participate in a work stoppage or work slowdown unless you hear from the leadership of SEIU Local 99 that it is safe to do so. Your job may be at risk if you make the individual decision to strike. Currently, only members at school sites that completed the sympathy strike petitions by the January 8 deadline can participate in the strike. The list of sympathy strike schools will be posted on seiu99.org/utlastrike.

Wear purple, ribbons, or stickers during the strike. You can also place signs on Local 99 bulletin boards at your worksite and in your individual work area. We encourage you to picket with teachers before or after work or during your unpaid breaks. Be sure to sign out when you take your break to join a picket. If supervisors harass or retaliate against you for supporting the strike, report it to SEIU Local 99 immediately.

You should report your illness to your site administrator. Employees who are deployed to a different work location should contact their supervisor and the site administrator of the work location they are scheduled to report to. You should get a doctor’s note even if you are only out for one day. If you already have paperwork on file for medical leave, such as FMLA or Workers Compensation, you do not need to provide an additional doctor’s note.

You should not have to cross a picket line to get to work. Look for the designated entrance to your school or work site which may not be your usual entrance. If there is no designated entrance or the entrance is inaccessible, call the office (administrator) of the location and let them know you cannot get into work. The office should provide you with assistance.

According to the District, SLPAs will not be providing direct speech and language services during the strike and therefore, do not require the supervision of a Sign Language Pathologist (SLP). SLPAs will be providing “related duties as assigned.” If you are assigned duties that you believe are unsafe or unlawful, follow the steps in question #1.

According to the District, Beyond the Bell programs will operate at all sites until 6pm. Some changes are expected as schools might add shortened, minimum days or have an alternative schedule. The District has offered employees the opportunity to work additional hours if they so choose (work during the school day), but it is not mandated. If there are any issues or changes are necessary, employees should contact the site principal. If the issues cannot be resolved, contact SEIU Local 99.

The District has not established any ratios, but they have said they are committed to having appropriate staff at each site. Each site is different and the principal is responsible for identifying what is needed. You should address any concerns with the principal first and contact SEIU Local 99 if you feel that the assignment you are given is unsafe for you or students.

According to the District, if a driver determines that a drop-off location is unsafe, they should follow these steps:

  1. Scene safety: ensure that the bus is in a safe location and that the passengers on the bus are safe.
  2. Notification: immediately notify Dispatch (via radio) and the Area Bus Supervisor. Clearly describe the situation and wait for additional instructions.
  3. Identify the person in charge: If possible, identify the person in charge at the scene and follow instructions.
  4. Drive to an alternate location: All bus route sheets have an emergency school site identified to be used if drop-off is not possible at the assigned location.

According to the District, it is the responsibility of each site administrator to receive any student who is transported to the school, special ed or otherwise.

For students who board the bus at one school to ride the route to their school of attendance, the LAUSD Department of Transportation has identified the school locations that fall into this category and has confirmed with the LA School Police that each of these schools will have an assigned officer on site by 6:00 am and remain there until 4:00 pm. If additional supervision is required, the Transportation Department will assign staff as needed. Affected schools are listed below:

  • Fremont High School
  • Jefferson High School
  • Manual Arts High School
  • West Adams Prep.
  • Maclay Middle School
  • Olive Vista Middle School

Parents should advise the principal of any concerns or issues.

Under the Kin Care Law, you have the right to stay home to care for your sick child. You should contact your supervisor and specifically let them know that you are using “kin care” time to stay home with your child. You do not need to present a doctor’s note when you return to work if you are using kin care time.

Report Violations

Ensuring the safety of students and staff is a priority. In the event of a strike, SEIU Local 99 members should document and report any assignments that you believe are unsafe, unlawful, or violate our union contract or district policies. Violations can be reported to the Member Resource Center at 213.637.0296 or via the form below. These are some things you should report immediately:

  • If you are being asked to teach, supervise, or administer a class of students alone, and/or without a certificated teacher or staff member present.
  • Any assignment that you believe is unsafe for you or your student(s).
  • Any threats or harassment by management toward you or any other SEIU Local 99 member.
  • If you are denied lunch or breaks. The district may owe you for time worked during breaks or lunches.

Our SEIU Local 99 Member Resource Center will be reaching out to LAUSD directly to address any issues.

Latest Photos from the Picket Line

3530 Wilshire Blvd. #1800
Los Angeles, CA 90010

Upcoming Events

  • LAUSD School Board Election Townhall Board District 1 & 7

    Date: Wednesday, September 27
    Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
    About this Event:

    Come interview candidates running for LAUSD School Board Districts 1 & 7 and help decide who SEIU Local 99 will endorse in this upcoming election. Make your voice heard! School board members make important decisions that impact jobs, wages, benefits, and the quality of education in our schools. This townhall is only open to SEIU Local 99 members.

  • LAUSD School Board Election Townhall Board District 5

    Date: Thursday, September 28
    Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
    About this Event:

    Come interview candidates running for LAUSD School Board District 5 and help decide who SEIU Local 99 will endorse in this upcoming election. Make your voice heard! School board members make important decisions that impact jobs, wages, benefits, and the quality of education in our schools. This townhall is only open to SEIU Local 99 members.

  • Steward Training

    Date: Saturday, September 30
    Time: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
    About this Event:

    Unless specified otherwise, all training times are 9 am - 3 pm and take place at SEIU Local 99's main office at 3530 Wilshire Blvd, Unit 1800 Los Angeles, 90005

    All trainings will have be in two parts: Part A for Basic Training (9 am to 12 pm) and Part B (12 - 3 pm) for the Advanced Training. New stewards must partake in Part A and B. Renewing stewards only need to join Part B.

    Please note that if a training has fewer than three members registered, the training will either be rescheduled or take place on Zoom. You will be notified ahead of time via email and/or phone if there is a change. 

    To register, please go to this page and click Register for Training. 

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