A tentative agreement giving Los Angeles Unified School District teachers a 10 percent raise under a three-year contract effectively prevents a threatened strike and ends months of protests amid contentious negotiations.
“LAUSD and UTLA believe this agreement is good for students, educators and the stability of the district moving forward,” a joint union-district statement said.
The agreement, which was announced late Friday, also calls for reduced class sizes and increased counseling services and makes changes to the teacher evaluation system and teacher reassignments, according to a statement released by the district and United Teachers Los Angeles late Friday.
However, the proposed hiring of more teachers, counselors and nurses falls short of the earlier demands from United Teachers Los Angeles, the union that represents teachers and other employees, the Los Angeles Daily News reported.
The agreement is subject to ratification by the school board and UTLA membership. If approved, the retroactive salary increase will mark the first raise for UTLA members in eight years.
School board member Bennett Kayser praised the agreement as a victory for the the district and its more than 30,000 teachers.
“Our students and their families win when those who care for their present and future are valued,” Kayser said in a prepared statement. “Teachers matter and they need to know it. My profound thanks to those who worked to bring unity and stability to the Los Angeles Unified School District. We work best for our students when we work together.”
Board member Steve Zimmer also expressed approval, and relief at news of the agreement.
“This is an important step in restoring trust and partnership between LAUSD and UTLA,” Zimmer told the Los Angeles Times. “Our message to our teachers is simple: We believe in you.” As negotiations dragged on, the union announced a boycott of faculty meetings on March 24, April 7 and Tuesday as part of its “escalating actions” to push for a more lucrative contract.
On Tuesday, a group of educators and parents participated in a bus tour of the district’s schools to call attention to what they described as understaffing and overcrowded classrooms.
LAUSD Superintendent Ramon Cortines said in March he was concerned about the “escalating actions,” saying it appeared the union was moving toward a strike.
—City News Service