Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 99 began their strike for higher wages in the rain starting today. The strike has led to the closure of all Los Angeles Unified School District campuses until March 23.

“The district doesn’t want to comply with us,” said special assistant Angelana Nabarretes, who has been working with LAUSD for four years and currently works at Valerio Street Elementary School. “They think that we don’t need it, that it’s not important. No. We’re doing the work. We need it.”

Starting on March 21, LAUSD, the nation’s second-largest school district, will be closed to students through March 23. This is due to a lack of supervision on campus, as SEIU Local 99 members take to the streets to demand a 30% wage increase over the course of four years, medical insurance and bonus pay for low-income LAUSD SEIU Local 99 workers. SEIU alleges that LAUSD had also intimidated and at times obstructed workers from voting on the authorization of a strike.

UTLA went on a 6-day strike once before in 2019, also demanding wage increases, class size reductions and other requests. As UTLA teachers march with SEIU Local 99 members during this strike, they continue to demand higher wages in addition to SEIU Local 99’s requested 30% wage increase.

“It’s unfortunate but necessary at the moment,” said LAUSD Information Technology (IT) Department worker Rafael Cordova, who has been working as a support technician for the past five years.

During a press conference on March 20, Carvalho announced that LAUSD’s last proposal to the union was a 22% wage increase as well as a 3% cash in-hand increase. Additionally, he called the strike movement baseless, unlawful and built on allegations that take time to prove. SEIU Local 99 rejected this statement and the proposal put out by the district, reaffirming their right to strike.