Author: Chris Woodyard / Source: USA TODAY
United Teachers Los Angeles represents 35,000 educators and they are set to strike on January 14th. LAUSD is choosing to keep schools open while teachers picket. USA TODAY
LOS ANGELES — After days of rallies and picket lines, Los Angeles’ striking teachers will now see whether they can maintain the momentum for a second week.
That is, if they need to. Union negotiators were meeting with the Los Angeles Unified School District on Monday. Even if the two groups reach a tentative deal, the union said teachers won’t return to work the next day. First, they’ll vote on whether to ratify the agreement.
Already, teachers have made their point. The union, United Teachers Los Angeles, was picking up support from celebrities and Democratic politicians as it faced off against the district. Attendance fell dramatically in the first week of the walkout, as many parents were reluctant to send their students to school while their teachers picketed.
Here are some key questions and answers about the strike so far:
When will it end?
Talks reopened Thursday for the first time since the strike began Monday, Jan.
14. Negotiators worked into the night and resumed at 11 a.m. PST Friday and met again over the three-day weekend.Both sides are feeling the pressure. Teachers braved four days of rain on the picket line and risk losing a week of pay. The district saw attendance plummet and with it, the money it receives from the state, which is based on how many kids show up in class.
“There is essentially a (news) blackout at the negotiation table. That’s always a good sign,” said Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers. It shows both sides are serious about reaching a deal.
When will teachers feel pressure?
The district’s 34,000 teachers are paid monthly. Barring an agreement for back pay from the district, the paycheck teachers are due to receive Feb. 5 would reflect the days they missed work due to…
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