LAUSD cafeteria staff picket for better wages

Cafeteria workers and other essential employees at Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) picketed this week in response to alleged harassment by the district and to demand better wages.

The employees are represented by SEIU Local 99, which says it has been with contract negotiations with the district for months that have now stalled.

“We started our Day of Action at 75th St. We've been in contract negotiations with @LASchools for months. But instead of bringing us real wage proposals, they're stalling. Even worse, members at some schools have been threatened and harassed,” the union tweeted this week.

Workers are also protesting alleged harassment by one of the district’s principals to some SEIU members.

In an email to FoodService Director, a Los Angeles Unified spokesperson said that the district values its employees and would like to avoid prolonged negotiations. 

“Los Angeles Unified values and respects the hard work and dedication of our employees and the need to compensate them fairly in the current economic environment," the spokesperson said. "It’s the District’s desire to avoid protracted negotiations and to keep the focus on student achievement.”