LAUSD Teachers Plan Rally to Address Layoff Notices
Teachers and Staff to Rally in LA Amid Stalled Contract Negotiations
Thousands of teachers and staff from the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) are set to gather in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday, as three unions report that negotiations with the district have reached an impasse.
United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) announced to NBC4 that it will declare a potential teacher strike during the rally. The union indicated that a strike could be averted if an agreement is reached between UTLA and LAUSD before the announcement of a strike date.
A strike would significantly affect the hundreds of thousands of students enrolled in the district. In 2019, a similar strike lasted six days, during which many schools remained open but operated with minimal staffing.
March 2023 saw the LAUSD teachers’ union join forces with SEIU in solidarity during three separate three-day walkouts. The upcoming rally, scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, will emphasize concerns over potential layoffs and salary negotiations.
In light of the current heat wave, UTLA advised attendees to stay hydrated by bringing water and sun protection.
The LAUSD is currently grappling with a nearly $900 million budget shortfall, leading to the issuance of layoff notices, which constitutes one of the primary reasons for the rally. Over 2,000 employees are expected to receive notifications that their contracts are ending, with more than 700 positions potentially impacted by layoffs, reduced hours, or fewer scheduled days. However, LAUSD has affirmed that teachers and counselors will not face cuts.
