Teachers’ Strike at Little Lake Ongoing as Negotiations Restart
Little Lake Teachers’ Strike Continues Amid Negotiation Efforts
LOS ANGELES COUNTY, Calif. – Teachers in the Little Lake City School District are now on their fourth day of strike action, following a breakdown in contract negotiations. Approximately 200 educators have taken to picketing across nine campuses, affecting the district’s operations that serve around 3,600 students.
The Little Lake Education Association announced late Monday that negotiations resumed, prompted by escalating community support and significant strike activity over the past few days. "After calls from parents, the community, and three powerful strike days, we are ready to negotiate a fair contract," the union stated.
Despite the ongoing strike, schools like Lakeland Elementary remain operational with substitute teachers filling in for striking staff. The district is offering substitute teachers around $500 per day—a rate the union describes as approximately triple the normal daily pay for substitutes.
Union leaders emphasize their demands focus on protecting class sizes, enhancing support for special education students, and maintaining affordable healthcare. A mid-year healthcare cut could impose up to $1,400 in additional monthly costs for some educators, according to the union.
In a significant development, the union has initiated proceedings to recall all five school board members, citing alleged failures in supporting both staff and students. Conversely, district officials contend that over the past five years, teachers have benefitted from an 18% salary increase and fully funded healthcare. However, they also warn of a shrinking budget and an unsustainable funding model.
As negotiations resume, teachers are poised to return to the picket lines shortly, while union leaders continue the recall process against the school board members.
