Meals were distributed to LAUSD students in the rain as schools closed during an employee three-day strike. (LAUSD)
LAUSD Schools Will Close Again Wednesday As Workers Strike
March 22, 2023
Schools within the LAUSD will be closed again Wednesday, as essential workers head into the second day of a three-day strike. The district and the Service Employees International Union Local 99 (SEIU 99), who represent roughly 30,000 LAUSD employees, have not been able to negotiate a contract, leading to the strike. "We remain ready to return to negotiations," LAUSD Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho said Tuesday. "I understand our employees' frustration that has been brewing for not just for a couple of years, but probably for decades and it is on the basis of recognizing historical inequities, that we have put on the table a historic proposal." Carvalho's contract proposal to the LAUSD workers on strike, was for more than 15% ongoing wage increase, 9% retention bonus, equity adjustments for those earning fewer than $30 per hour, health benefits for part-time employees and a $20 minimum wage. SEIU 99 Executive Director Max Arias said the offer was "a step forward," but the workers deserved more.
On a rainy Tuesday in Southern California, school workers and teachers protested in front of the LAUSD headquarters and schools across Los Angeles. Monday night, the school district announced that its schools would not be open Tuesday, leaving parents who would typically rely on their kids being school during the workday, were left looking for alternatives. The district and city quickly opened up recreation centers and other areas for younger students to go during the school closures. "With more than 500,000 students and their families affected by today’s school closures, the City is providing meals and safe places for young people at dozens of locations across Los Angeles," Mayor Karen Bass said Tuesday. "I will make sure the wellbeing of L.A. students always comes first as I continue to work with all parties to reach an agreement to reopen the schools and guarantee fair treatment of all LAUSD workers." Here are places where students can find meals and places to stay, as the strike moves into Wednesday, March 22. Designated Recreation Centers (RC) : Los Angeles recreation centers will serve as Grab and Go food locations between 7:30 to 10:30 a.m, Wednesday. A Special Edition After School Club Program will also be available on a first come, first serve basis. LAUSD students in 1st to 5th grades can take advantage of the program from 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. 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
Glassell Park RC: 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 RC: 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
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 CA 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
The Natural History Museum offered free admission for students during the strike:
Natural History Museum in Exposition Park: 900 Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90007
The La Brea Tar Pits in Hancock Park: 5801 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
The L.A. Zoo has offered free admission for LAUSD students and $5 for chaperones: 5333 Zoo Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027 The Los Angeles Public Library: All of L.A.'s public libraries remain available for students and will plan to be more hands-on with students, knowing the current situation. Wee Care: The childcare network helps parents find daycare centers which may accommodate school-aged children with drop-in care.
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