A planned, three-day strike by service workers employed by the nation's second-largest public school district was underway Tuesday.
Workers holding signs that read, "We keep schools safe, Respect Us!" joined picket lines in the rain, demanding better pay and additional staffing.
In a news conference, District Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho said that all schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District would be closed Tuesday.
The Service Employees International Union Local 99 which represents cafeteria workers, bus drivers, custodians and special education assistants said its members were striking because negotiations that might have provided a solution were nonexistent. The union represents more than 30,000 district workers.
Local 99 blamed the day’s negotiation failure on the district. Its executive director, Max Arias, said district officials broke an agreement to hold confidential mediation over a potential contract.
“We were never in the same room or even in the same building,Today we had a golden opportunity that just didn’t happen.” Carvalho said Monday of the failed negotiations
The union's workers are aiming for a 30% wage increase, It has said its members make an average salary of $25,000 a year, more than $10,000 below the state poverty line for a family of four.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said that they would help distribute student lunches at 21 “Grab & Go” locations. The Los Angeles Zoo said admission would be free to LAUSD students through the end of the three-day action.
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