"Nobody wants a strike." LAUSD answers back after union leaders announce April 14 walkout
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Los Angeles school officials defended their contract offers Thursday, saying “nobody wants a strike” — a day after the district’s two largest unions set April 14 as a strike date if no agreement is reached.The Los Angeles Unified School District made its case in a news conference at its downtown headquarters the morning after a multiunion rally drew thousands to Gloria Molina Grand Park across from City Hall.“Nobody wants a strike,” acting Supt.
Andres Chait said.“Strikes are not good for students.
They are not good for our schools.They are not good for our families.
I truly believe that our labor partners also do not want a strike.”The strike would affect close to 400,000 students in the nation’s second-largest school system and an estimated 32,000 students in the adult school.It would mean more than 60,000 essential district workers — teachers, counselors, nurses, bus drivers, janitors and cafeteria workers — would walk off the job.Chait adopted a conciliatory tone, addressing union leaders — who were not present.“Please know I respect your passion, your commitment to our students and your leadership,” Chait said.
“And I have even greater respect for your members who work every day to provide a quality education to all of our students.” California It would mean 60,000+ district workers — teachers, counselors, nurses, bus drivers, janitors and cafeteria workers — would walk out, crippling school operations.Chait cited pressures that he said limited the district’s ability to offer more money, including declining enrollment, uncertainty over state and federal funding, and the impact of heightened federal immigration enforcement on attendance and enrollment, which affects state funding.“Any increases in salary must be balanced and consider the entire public school system we are here to serve,” Chait said.“We certainly recognize that t...