For Principal Kimberly Figueroa-Oliveira, the possible three-union strike against the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) signifies more than just increased pay. It represents the collaboration of over 84% of the district’s entire workforce to provide for students.
“At the end of the day, we need to make sure we take care of ourselves in order to take care of our kids, to pour into our students,” Figueroa-Oliveira said. “So, I just think it’s part of the larger scope that, you know, as educators, we got to look out for each other.”
In mid-March, United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA), Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 99 and soon after Associated Administrators of Los Angeles/Teamsters Local 2010 (AALA) announced a collective, coordinated strike on April 14.
“Especially now, because of the rising prices, (teachers’) pay won’t do anymore and it never really did, from what I was told,” sophomore Liam Salazar said. “It’s more like a side gig due to the fact that (teachers) are not appreciated and the pay is not enough, so I think this (strike) is a really good opportunity for the teachers.”
Following over a year of contract negotiations, the unions primarily demand higher salaries, more equitable pay for newer or uncredentialed teachers and protection from planned layoffs. While UTLA and AALA reached tentative independent resolutions with LAUSD on April 12, SEIU is continuing to prepare for a strike with no current agreement. If SEIU does not reach a joint resolution by April 14, all three unions will go on strike to support them, causing all LAUSD schools to shut down until the strike ends.
“I’m looking for fairness and I’m hoping that the district sees that the employees of the union for SEIU also deserve to have an increase in salary to keep up with the cost of living the way that everyone else is fighting for teachers and administrators,” said Special Education Assistant Patty Chaidez, who participated in four previous strikes as a part of SEIU Local 99, including LAUSD strikes in 2019 and 2023. “It’s really a shame that when we want better wages, we always have to strike together. I wish we’d work it out in a different way.”
A full district-wide school shutdown would affect nearly 400,000 students and leave approximately 70,000 educators without pay. For students, this is an opportunity to support their teachers, catch up on work and take a break from school. For parents, a period without school for their children means no district-provided meals or childcare. In preparation for the strike, LAUSD announced the locations of 30 free food distribution centers across the San Fernando Valley and Downtown LA, including Mulholland Middle School, as well as 27 childcare provider locations for children between 6 and 17 years old.
“My parents were both teachers and my mother, when she was teaching high school, went through the same thing once before,” said Matt Killian, the parent of a junior. “So if there’s anything we can do to support teachers, then I hope they will let us know.”
Teachers recommend that, if possible, students support their educators and SEIU workers in any way possible. While attending the strike, outside the school or at Molina Grand Park in downtown LA, is one way to support them, Figueroa-Oliveira believes students can assist picketers in different ways.
“Let them know that you hear them, you value them,” she said. “I think that even that act in itself goes a long way, because it reminds us of the ‘why.’ Like, yeah, our students are the ‘why.’”
