(LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA) - In the early hours of Tuesday (April 14th) morning, Members of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 99 reached a tentative contract agreement (TA) with the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). With a TA also in place for their Union Brothers, Sisters and Siblings in the United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) - an affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the planned work stoppage at the county’s second-largest School District has been called off. The deal covering 30,000 Custodians, Food Workers, Special Education Assistants and Bus Drivers was reached just hours before the Strike deadline. LAUSD settled contracts with 38,000 Member-strong UTLA and the Associated Administrators of Los Angeles over the weekend. SEIU and UTLA both won wage increases, protections against subcontracting and more. “The truth has always been clear - the District CAN afford these changes. With this agreement, resources will begin to be redirected away from unnecessary spending and toward the students and classrooms that need them most,” UTLA Vice President Julie Van Winkle said. “This contract fight has never been about prolonging conflict. It has always been about securing the respect and investments that Educators and students deserve. This TA is a powerful step forward and a momentous win for the Los Angeles School Community.” Local 99 Executive Director Max Arias said: “This agreement was won through the bold action and courage of thousands of Workers who were willing to sacrifice to improve conditions in their schools and their lives. A Strike was always the last resort and we are proud that we could work with the School District and Mayor Karen Bass to reach an agreement that recognizes the contributions of Front-Line Workers in our schools.”

For More On This Labor News Story, Go To: LAUSD strike averted: Tentative deal reached with SEIU Local 99, schools to open Tuesday - ABC7 Los Angeles

Photo Courtesy Of The National AFL-CIO.