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I found it very informative to see firsthand how important it is to be part of a union. We have more strength to fight when we stand together. Fabian Gonzalez, |
Earlier this month, the Los Angeles Unified School District announced surprise plans to eliminate 547 Teacher Assistant positions during the 2015/16 school year. We demanded that they open up negotiations and quickly mobilized to win the best possible outcome.
“I was upset to learn that my job was at risk,” said Marianna Elementary T.A. Fabian Gonzalez. “SEIU Local 99 notified us by telephone that the District was threatening to cut our positions. All of us affected were asked us to be part of the bargaining process.”
The first bargaining session was Friday, July 24, 2015, and Gonzalez was there.
“It was great to watch our union’s expert lead negotiator. I was happy with the level of input T.A.s had in the whole process. During breakouts we’d have conversations out of earshot of the District where we could decide if we were missing anything and make sure we covered all our bases,” said Gonzalez.
For example, the SEIU Local 99 group discussed Special Ed Trainee positions that the District mentioned might be opening up. Then when back at the bargaining table, Union negotiators asked the District to offer those jobs to any T.A.s that might be laid off. The District verbally agreed.
Commonwealth Elementary School T.A. Fran Arauz was also at Friday’s negotiations. “The bargaining session was insightful, informative and interesting. As it was my first bargaining session, I would encourage any SEIU member to get involved and take part. At first it may appear intimidating but it’s great to participate in the inner workings of contract negotiations,” said Arauz.
Here’s a summary of where we’re at now:
- The District lowered the estimated number of affected T.A.s to 364; we will continue to bargain over this and, if necessary, we all have to be ready to take action.
- If any potential layoffs actually happen, the District has agreed to offer the affected workers a path to full employment as a Special Education Trainee.
- The District notes that schools may have more money at the beginning of the year than originally thought.
- The District says each school will make its own decisions regarding staffing.
“I found it very informative to see firsthand how important it is to be part of a union. We have more strength to fight when we stand together,” said Gonzalez.
