LOS ANGELES (CNS) — The Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education has given final approval to a new labor agreement with the union representing its teachers.
Members of United Teachers Los Angeles overwhelmingly ratified the proposed contract last week. According to union President Cecily Myart-Cruz, 94.13% of the 27,171 UTLA members who voted between Tuesday and Thursday were in favor of the three-year agreement.
On Tuesday, the LAUSD Board of Education gave its support to the agreement, along with a new contract for administrative workers represented by Associated Administrators of Los Angeles. In a statement, the district said the agreements continue “the district’s commitment to historic pay increases, investing in the workforce, addressing decades of pay inequity exacerbated by historic inflation, while ensuring the district remains financially solid.”
According to the LAUSD, the agreement with UTLA includes a 21% wage hike, beginning with 3% effective July 1, 2022; 4% on Jan. 1, 2023; 3% on July 1, 2023; 4% on Jan. 1, 2024; 3% on July 1, 2024; and 4% on Jan. 1, 2025.
It also includes an additional $20,000 increase for nurses; $3,000 for psychologists, psychiatric social workers, counselors and other “special services” providers; $2,500 for special education teachers; and $1,500 for early education teachers.
When the agreement was announced, the district noted that the increases were on top of 5% hikes included in the 2021-22 district budget. UTLA negotiators had been pushing for a 20% across-the-board wage hike during their labor talks with the district.
The pact also calls for a class-size reduction of two students in all classes from transitional kindergarten through 12th grade, along with additional counselors at all high schools with 900 or more students.
“This agreement demonstrates that when we stand together, we can transform our schools for the better,” Myart-Cruz said in a statement last week. “It acknowledges the impact of the pandemic, years of disinvestment and economic hardship, while standing firm on things school faculty need to provide quality education to our students.
“Our efforts to mobilize members, parents and community supporters were vital to our success. This contract will set the national standard for all other educators to achieve liveable wages and solidify an equitable future where students are supported in a healthy learning environment.”
The contract covers 2022-25.