The power of unions in big cities can be aww-inspiring. The schools union called a strike, which so far has successfully cancelled at least one day of schools city-wide.
The union represents 30,000 workers, but doesn’t actually represent teachers directly. They’re in charge of cafeteria workers, teachers’ assistants, janitors and bus drivers. Although the teacher’s union also chose to strike in solidarity. The union is asking for a 30% increase in pay to all members, citing a rising cost of living in Los Angeles. Superintendent Alberto Carvalho has an interesting argument as to why the schools can’t afford to close. He claims that kids in LA lost too many days already during the pandemic closure. So he’s using his own putative actions, actions that caused these union workers to lose pay way back then, against the union members. Needless to say, the argument didn’t work. He didn’t have to close the schools, but he did.
The union head struck back at Carvalho and noted his $450,000 salary, ““I don’t think he has the moral authority to walk around blaming our members for the schools being closed or the learning loss that may happen.”
The strike was hastily arranged. The NY Times reports that parents came into school shocked to see that it was closed, and that there were people picketing outside. The school system put a contingency plan in place, but failed to notify the majority of parents of the closure.
The school superintendent suggested a 23% raise an additional $2 an hour, which was quickly rejected. There is no word yet on if and when LA city schools will re-open, but we’ll keep you posted. And if you’re in LA, enjoy your day with the kiddos!
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