The recent school strike in Los Angeles has come to an end after three days, which left roughly 500,000 students out of classrooms. The strike was staged by Service Employees International Union Local 99, whose members, including school custodians, cafeteria workers, bus drivers, and other student services staff, went on strike on Tuesday to protest the school district’s labor practices. The union announced its plans to return to work on Friday, regardless of the bargaining table’s outcome.
After the union returned to work, a deal was announced that grants a 30% pay increase, with retroactive pay between $4,000 to $8,000 per worker. The average annual pay of its members will rise to $33,000 from $25,000. The strike was a tactical tool used by the union to air their grievances to the public, flex their muscle, and step up pressure on management.
The Los Angeles school strike was an “unfair labor practice” strike that highlighted the union’s charges of mistreatment of its members and leaders. It also came at a time when workers are trying to win significantly higher wages and improved benefits. Short-term strikes like this one do not necessarily get union members what they want right away, but they are effective in many cases.
Lester Garcia, government relations director for the union, said that the strike was drawing attention to the low pay his members receive and other demands. He added that “this attention helps our members by bringing them dignity and respect.” The deal needs to be ratified by rank-and-file before it can take effect, but the Los Angeles Unified School District issued a statement praising the agreement, which was reached after the strike ended.
