News

Custodians in Los Angeles Threaten to Strike

Custodians and other workers in the Los Angeles, CA, Unified School District will vote later this month on whether to authorize a strike after contract talks between the workers’ union and school district broke down this week, KPCC news radio reports.

Leaders with Service Employees International Union (SIEU) Local 99, which represents more than 30,000 custodians, school bus drivers, teachers’ aids, and clerical workers, have been bargaining over a new contract with L.A. Unified for the last year. Issues under discussion include wages, work hours, and staffing levels. Union and school district officials are especially divided on staffing levels for janitors. Union leaders say current staffing levels have resulted in dirty schools and closed restrooms.