UTLA Reaching an Agreement with LAUSD Teachers
BY: NISHI KHANDAKER
On Tuesday April 18th, 2023, UTLA had reached an agreement with LAUSD on labor contracts after the long battle between teachers and other staff members who work all day to give students the best possible educational experience.
According to achieve.lausd.net, “Los Angeles, CA (April 18, 2023) – Los Angeles Unified today announced that it has reached a tentative agreement with United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) that significantly increases salaries for teachers across the District. This agreement also focuses on instruction by reducing class sizes and increasing mental health and counseling services in order to better support the needs of students. In keeping with the priorities in Los Angeles Unified Strategic Plan, the agreement with UTLA addresses years of pay inequity and inflation”. This was a necessary agreement as teachers and workers were underpaid to the point some could not keep up with inflation and had to choose between dinner or lunch. Staff members such as janitors, cafeteria workers, bus drivers, and others have to pick up multiple jobs just to be able to afford breakfast, dinner and lunch for their families. This new contract will allow staff to get a 21% salary increase through June 25.
Along with this, specific members such as nurses, school psychologists, special education teachers, and early education teachers all will get additional money for their hard work. There are many more benefits included in this such as reduced class sizes, additional college counselors, and others. The strike was successful and at least this agreement is enough to keep up with inflation, but the real question is, is it enough?
