For Immediate Release October 16, 2014
Contact:
Blanca Gallegos 213-387-8393 ext. 219
213-500-9594 (cell)
SEIU Local 99 Interim Executive Director Scott Washburn issued the following statement today:
“We have always considered Dr. John Deasy a partner in addressing the needs of students and our communities. His leadership will be missed.
“We are grateful for his appreciation of the role that cafeteria workers, custodians, teaching assistants and other school support staff play in student success. Dr. Deasy has shared our belief that learning happens inside and outside the classroom and that the men and women who feed the children, clean the school restrooms, and aide in the classroom, are critical to student learning.
“On behalf of the 33,000 SEIU Local 99 members at LAUSD, we would like to thank John Deasy for his service and commitment to the workers, children and families of the Los Angeles Unified School District. Under John Deasy’s leadership, Los Angeles has experienced an unprecedented increase in graduation rates and has led the way on initiatives to lift families out of poverty.
“As parents of students in LAUSD schools, we have also valued Dr. Deasy’s commitment to our communities and to addressing the needs of the whole child. Dr. Deasy has understood that it is difficult for children to learn when they are hungry or sick or poor. To address these needs, we partnered to establish landmark programs like Breakfast in the Classroom and OASIS which have provided millions of meals to children and have increased support services on school campuses. Dr. Deasy also worked with SEIU Local 99 to raise the minimum wage at LAUSD to $15 per hour, lifting nearly 20,000 families out of poverty and setting a national standard for employers. And, most recently, we’ve worked with Dr. Deasy to expand training programs for teaching assistants and increase outreach efforts to immigrant students and their parents. Throughout our efforts, John Deasy has demonstrated a willingness to seek innovative solutions to the difficult realities faced by many LAUSD families.
“We thank John Deasy for his courage and wish him well on his future endeavors.
“SEIU Local 99 would also like to take the time to welcome back Ramon Cortines to LAUSD. We look forward to expanding our efforts to increase opportunities for workers, students, and families.”
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SEIU Local 99 is a union of nearly 45,000 education workers in K-12 schools, early education centers and homes, administrative offices, and community colleges throughout Southern California, including more than 30,000 cafeteria workers, teacher aides, custodians, bus drivers and others providing essential student services at LAUSD schools. Nearly 50% of SEIU Local 99 members are also parents or guardians of school-age children.
