Scores of school bus drivers kicked off the 3-day strike at 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning
At 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 21, time officially ran out for the Los Angeles Unified School District to reach an labor contract agreement and avert a long-looming and heavily dreaded three-day strike.
Related: Here’s where families can get help during LAUSD strike
In the dark and early hours of the morning scores of school bus drivers arrived at the Van Nuys Bus Yard in time for their normal shift, but instead of getting behind the wheel they got into picket lines, rallying in the rain to demand higher pay and better working conditions.
“People with some of the most important responsibilities in our schools should not have to live in poverty,” said Schiff. “I am proud to be hear. I am proud to support my brothers and sisters in their fight for decent wages.
The striking workers appeared undeterred by the steady pour toting umbrellas in one hand and signs bearing slogans like ‘we’re essential every day, we demand respect!’ in the other.
The strike is led by SEIU Local 99, the service worker union representing 30,000 bus drivers, custodians, cafeteria workers and special education assistants. They are joined by members of the teachers’ union, United Teachers Los Angles, who are also walking off the job in a show of solidarity.
While both unions are seeking contract agreements, it is the concerns of SEIU members — who have an average salary of 25K — that are at the forefront of the strike.
