All Los Angeles Unified School District’s (LAUSD) schools closed March 21 as the district’s two unions kicked off a three-day strike demanding more pay and benefits.
Members of SEIU Local 99, the union representing the district’s 30,000 non-teaching staff—including cafeteria workers, bus drivers, custodians and special education assistants—said in a March 21 press conference that members were striking to bargain for better wages and increased staffing in schools.
“We are on strike to protest the disrespect against workers who are speaking out for more staffing for student services,” said SEIU Local 99 president Conrado Guerrero at the press conference. “We are on strike to protest the threats against workers who have spoken out for better livelihoods. We are on strike because we have had enough.”…