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Developing…

A day after the end of a 72-hour strike that saw LAUSD custodians, cafeteria workers, teacher aides, special education assistants and bus drivers represented by Service Employees International Union Local 99 walk off the job, the school district announced an agreement on a new contract that “significantly increases salaries for close to 30,000 members.” 

Reportedly included in the deal: A 30% wage increase, a $1000 bonus for all workers who were with the district during the 2020-21 school year, retroactive pay of $4,000-$8,000 depending on job classification, an increase in average salary from $25,000 to $33,000, and seven hours of work guaranteed for Special Education Assistants. 

“I am so pleased to say that we have reached an agreement,” said Mayor Karen Bass, who stepped in late in the process to help facilitate mediation, during a Friday afternoon press conference. “School will continue to be in session.”

The tentative pact still needs to be approved by the full SEIU membership. 

See below for the full details of Friday’s agreement, as released by LAUSD shortly before 5 p.m. local time: 

News Release: Los Angeles Unified Reaches Historic Agreement with SEIU Local 99 https://t.co/s6rUO1IJDm

— Los Angeles Unified (@LASchools) March 24, 2023

Under the terms of the new contracts which span from July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2024, Los Angeles Unified and SEIU agreed to:

Salary increases of:

— 6% ongoing wage increase retroactive to July 1, 2021

— 7% ongoing wage increase retroactive to July 1, 2022

— 7% ongoing wage increase effective July 1, 2023

— $2 per hour increase for all employees effective January 1, 2024

— Provide a $1,000 appreciation bonus for current employees who were with the District in the 2020-21 school year in recognition of in-person work during adverse circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

— Bring our Los Angeles Unified minimum wage to $22.52 an hour, outpacing the City of Los Angeles and the State of California.

— Secure health benefits for part-time employees assigned to work four or more hours a day, including coverage for their qualified dependents.

— Increase hours and compensation for paraprofessionals serving students with special needs.

— Invest $3 million in an Education and Professional Development Fund for SEIU members.

In addition, the District and SEIU reached agreement on the following:

— Respectful treatment

— Bus bidding process

— Terms for mandatory overtime 

— Joint Labor Management Committee for other issues

This agreement is a crucial step to provide equitable resources for the hardworking and dedicated employees who support the work of education. California is one of the one of the top-five largest economies in the world, and the District looks forward to the support from state leaders for deeper investments in public education, which is currently well below the national average in per student spending.

Read LAUSD’s complete announcement.