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UTLA Continues to Refuse to Engage in Contract Negotiations
United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA), has refused Los Angeles Unified’s offer to resume contract negotiations. UTLA has not been willing to engage in contract negotiations since the release of the Fact Finding Report on December 17, 2018.
The Fact Finding Report recommended Los Angeles Unified’s offer of a 6 percent raise and back pay for 2017-18, and UTLA’s own appointee on the Fact Finding panel concurred with the recommendation. The Report further recommended that Los Angeles Unified commit additional resources to reduce class size, which Los Angeles Unified has agreed to do. The Report also provided a framework to resolve most of the recurring contract issues. Los Angeles Unified has incorporated many of the Report’s recommendations in its current offer to UTLA.
“We are willing to work around the clock to resolve all of the outstanding issues, but we cannot make progress if UTLA will not even meet or engage in any discussions,” said Superintendent Beutner. “We are asking families and the community to tell UTLA that they must return to the bargaining table to resume negotiations.”
On behalf of all those who sacrifice so much so that their children can learn to read and write, think and believe, and be safe at school, I implore UTLA leadership to name the time and place to re-engage in solution building,” said Board President Mónica García. “Our community demands that we do all we can to honor our students and keep schools open.”
"In my many recent conversations with parents and students, it is clear that they expect both sides to sit down and resolve these issues. And in conversations with teachers throughout L.A. Unified, I believe that there is way more common ground than UTLA leadership is acknowledging,” said Board Vice President Nick Melvoin. “We owe it to these teachers—and, of course, to our students—to settle this contract and need a willing partner to do so. I sincerely hope UTLA will come back to the table to resolve this in the coming days.”
“I am supportive of our students, families and the vital needs of our school sites,” said Board Member Dr. George J. McKenna III “I believe we should do everything possible to avoid a strike and continue negotiations.”
“My constituents, including the dedicated teachers who serve our BD 3 students, want to see a fair resolution to this dispute,” said Board Member Scott M. Schmerelson. “My constituents also want to see our teachers treated with respect, reasonable class size limits, and a reasonable increase in the number of nurses, counselors, librarians and social workers that our kids so desperately need and deserve. I believe an agreement can still be reached, and a work stoppage avoided, if everybody is willing to compromise.”
Click here for the timeline and status of Los Angeles Unified contract negotiations.