LAUSD schools to close again on Wednesday due to workers’ strike

Schools in LAUSD will be closed again on Wednesday as essential workers go on the second day of a three-day strike.

The District and Local Service Workers Union 99 (SEIU 99), which represent approximately 30,000 LAUSD employees, were unable to secure a contract, leading to a strike.

“We remain ready to return to negotiations,” LAUSD Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho said Tuesday. “I understand the disappointment of our employees, which has been brewing not only for several years, but probably for decades, and it is on the basis of the recognition of historical injustice that we have presented a historic proposal.”

Carvalho’s contract offer to striking LAUSD workers was a permanent pay increase of over 15%, a 9% retention bonus, an equity adjustment for those earning less than $30 an hour, sickness benefits for part-time employees, and a minimum salary of $20.

SEIU 99 chief executive Max Arias said the proposal was “a step forward” but workers deserve more.

pic.twitter.com/1WJHz8QIZs

— Alberto M. Carvalho (@LAUSDSup) March 21, 2023

On a rainy Tuesday in Southern California, school workers and teachers protested in front of LAUSD headquarters and schools across Los Angeles.

The school district announced Monday night that its schools will not be open on Tuesday, leaving parents who normally rely on their children to go to school during the work day to look for alternatives.

The area and the city quickly opened recreation centers and other places for younger students to go during school closures.

“As more than 500,000 students and families have been affected by today’s school closures, the City is providing food and safe spaces for youth at dozens of locations across Los Angeles,” Mayor Karen Bass said Tuesday. “I will ensure that the well-being of Los Angeles students always comes first as I continue to work with all parties to reach an agreement to reopen schools and ensure that all LAUSD workers are treated fairly.”

Here are places where students can find food and places to stay as the strike is moved to Wednesday, March 22nd.

Specialized Recreation Centers (RC):

Leisure centers in Los Angeles will serve as snack spots from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. The Special Edition After School Club program will also be available on a first-come, first-served basis. LAUSD students in grades 1-5 can use the program from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm.

Locations:

• Baldwin Hills RC: 5401 Highlight Place, Los Angeles, CA 90016, (323) 934-0746

• Chevy Chase RC: 4165 Chevy Chase Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90039, (818) 550-1453

• Delano Park RC: 15100 Erwin St., Van Nuys, CA 91411, (818) 756-8529

• Echo Park RC: 1632 Bellevue Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90026, (213) 250-3578

• EXPO Center: 3980 Bill Robertson Ln, Los Angeles, CA 90037, (213) 763-0114

• Fernangeles RC: 8851 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Sun Valley, CA 91352, (818) 767-4171

• Glassel Park LCD: 3650 Verdugo Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90065, (323) 257-1863

• Granada Park RC: 16730 Chatsworth, Granada Hills, CA 91344, (818) 363-3556

• Highland Park RC: 6150 Piedmont Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90042, (213) 847-4876

• Jackie Tatum, Harvard RC: 1535 W 62nd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90047, (323) 778-7268

• Lanark Park RC: 21816 Lanark St. Canoga Park, CA 91304, (818) 883-1503

• Lincoln Park Residential Complex: 3501 Valley Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90031, (213) 275-6955

• Mason Park RC: 10500 Mason Ave. Chatsworth, CA 91311, (818) 756-6377

• Normandie Park RC: 1550 S. Normandie Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90006, (310) 328-3689

• North Hollywood RC: 11430 Chandler Blvd. North Hollywood, CA 91601, (818) 763-76511

• Oakwood Park RC: 767 California Ave., Venice, CA 90291, (310) 452-7479

• Pan Pacific Park RC: 600 Beverly Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90036, (323) 939-8874

• Poinsettia Park RC: 7341 Willoughby Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90046, (323) 876-8279

• Ritchie Valens RC: 10736 Laurel Canyon Blvd. Pacoima, CA 91331, (818) 834-5175

• Robertson Park RC: 1641 Preuss Rd., Los Angeles, CA 90035, (310) 278-5383

• Rosecrans Park RCL 840 W 149th Street, Gardena, CA 90247, (310) 327-3653

• Ross Snyder RC: 1501 E 41st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90011, (323) 235-5288

• St Andrews Park RC: 8701 St Andrews Place, Los Angeles, CA 90047, (213) 485-1751

• Studio City RC: 12621 Rye St. Studio City, CA 91604, (818) 769-4415

• Sunland Park RC: 8651 Foothill Blvd. Sunland California 91040, (818) 352-5282

• Tarzana Park RC: 5655 Vanalden Ave. Tarzana, CA 91356, (818) 343-5946

• Valley Plaza Park RC: 12240 Archwood St., North Hollywood, CA 91605, (818) 765-5885

• Van Nuys Sherman Oaks RC: 14201 Houston St. Sherman Oaks, CA 91423, (818) 756-8131

• Vineyard Park RC: 2942 Vineyard Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90016, (323) 732-2469

• Wilmington Park RC: 325 N Neptune Ave., Wilmington, CA 90744, (310) 548-7645

During the strike, the Natural History Museum offered students free admission to:

• Natural History Museum at Exhibition Park: 900 Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90007.
• La Brea Tar Pits in Hancock Park: 5801 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036.

The Los Angeles Zoo is offering free admission for LAUSD students and $5 for companions: 5333 Zoo Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Los Angeles Public Library: All Los Angeles Public Libraries are still available to students and, knowing the current situation, they plan to provide more hands-on activities with students.

Wee care: The Child Care Network helps parents find day care centers that can accommodate supervised school-age children.