Story Created:
May 7, 2009 at 3:56 PM PST
Story Updated:
May 7, 2009 at 3:56 PM PST
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education voted Tuesday to file an unfair labor practice charge against the teachers’ union and file for a petition blocking a planned one-day work stoppage.
“Teachers have a contractual obligation to be in our classrooms instructing students every day,” LAUSD Superintendent Ramon Cortines said. “More than that, teachers have taken a professional oath to act in the best interest of students at all times, including maintaining their safety. This work action is not in the best interest of students. It is dangerous, illegal and irresponsible.”
United Teachers Los Angeles announced Friday that it would be holding a one-day work stoppage on May 15 to protest planned layoffs and increases in class sizes that were approved by the school board in hopes of closing a massive budget deficit.
According to United Teachers Los Angeles, 26,815 teachers cast ballots on the proposed walkout, and 73.8 percent voted in favor.
“This wasn’t an easy decision for our teachers to make, but we were pushed into it by a superintendent who has decided to raise class size and bring chaos to schools even though the district has the money to maintain class sizes and avoid these layoffs,” UTLA President A.J. Duffy said. “We have to stand up for our students because the district won’t. But it’s not too late. We’re calling on the superintendent and the school board to change course and make the right decision for our schools.”
Union officials said they chose May 15 for the walkout to ensure the least conflict with standardized testing.
But LAUSD officials said would disrupt testing and jeopardize the “health and safety” of students at 1,000 early education centers and school campuses. District officials said they will deploy non-school-based personnel to assist administrators with supervision if the walkout is carried out.
The school board voted 6-0 to file a labor grievance with the Public Employment Relations Board and seek a petition blocking the walkout.
The district’s Board of Education voted April 14 to eliminate nearly 5,400 positions in hopes of resolving a nearly $600 million budget deficit for the coming school year. The exact number of layoffs was expected to be lower, depending on the number of employees opting for early retirement and the use of state and federal stimulus funds to maintain jobs.
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