The Los Angeles Unified School District and union leaders said Friday they have reached an agreement on pay increases for bus drivers, custodians, and other support workers after a three-day strike that shut down the nation’s second-largest school system.
SEIU Local 99 executive director Max Arias said the deal included a series of retroactive increases through 2021 that would collectively increase worker wages by about 30%.
District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said the deal provides workers with a one-time $1,000 raise, sets the district’s minimum wage at $22.52, and creates a $3 million educational and professional development fund for union members. He added that free health care would be provided for any worker who works at least four hours a day.
“I have no doubt that this contract will be viewed as a precedent-setting, historic contract that upholds the dignity, and humanity of our employees, respects the needs of our students, but also protects our also guarantees the financial viability of the district,” Carvalho said.
He announced the deal with Max Arias, executive director of Local 99 of the Service Employees International Union, and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. Both sides credited Bass, who took office in December, for helping them reach the agreement.
The deal still must be voted on by the full union, which represents about 30,000 workers, including cafeteria workers, special education assistants, and other support staff. Those employees walked off the job from Tuesday to Thursday amid stalled talks and classes resumed on Friday.
Members of United Teachers Los Angeles, the union representing 35,000 teachers, counselors, and other employees, joined picket lines in solidarity.
The union said district support workers earn an average of about $25,000 a year and many live in poverty due to low wages or limited working hours and struggle with inflation and the high cost of housing.
The deal comes just days after the union accused the district of engaging in unfair labor practices. Arias said another contract should be negotiated next year.
“Thank you to the parents of Los Angeles and the students of Los Angeles and everyone who stood shoulder to shoulder with our members,” he said.
SEIU members have been working without a contract since June 2020, while the teachers’ contract expires in June 2022. The unions last week decided to stop accepting extensions.
Teachers went on a six-day strike in 2019 over pay and contract issues, but schools remained open.