By Marley Brennan
Executive Opinion Editor
Kayla Kinsey
Opinion Editor
On March 21, employees within the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) began a
district-wide strike, according to the New York Times. As school funding issues arise
nation-wide, the Manhattan Beach Unified Teachers Association (MBUTA) righteously
advocates for better wages to compensate for an inflatious, depleting salary.
Within United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA), which represents 30,000 teachers, bus drivers, teachers’ assistants, and cafeteria workers, there has been a movement for a 30% increase in pay. In relation to Manhattan Beach Unified School District (MBUSD), the demands occurring inLAUSD serve as a precedent for MBUTA. MBUSD schools have received a revenue increase of approximately 21% within the last two years, according to Costa Economics teacher Adam Geczi, and, from this, teachers were offered 5%. Costa English teacher Lisa Cook states that the demonstrations ocurring on campus are a result of a lack of attention and recognition from the district. The cause of the strikes, protests and demonstrations within both LAUSD and MBUSD can be attributed to the state-wide increase in the cost of living adjustment (COLA).
In 2022, inflation rates in the U.S. and around the world rose to their highest levels since the early 1980s. Per Geczi, teachers’ purchasing power has eroded, and wages have not kept up with the country’s increasing inflation rates. Teachers are not being compensated for the COLA in California and are, therefore, not receiving the amount of money they should be. The current funds meant for teacher salaries are not sufficient, as it does not provide support for the increase in COLA and inflation rates. The purpose of the teachers’ union negotiations is to remedy the disparity between the district’s funds and the increasing cost of living in California.
Indicative of a national issue, inflation has become much more localized, and teachers deserve to be reimbursed with a greater percentage of district funds to compensate for a developing, complex world. According to both Geczi and union President Shawn Chen, the union has been negotiating with the district regarding the wage increase for months. However, the district’s response is that it does not have sufficient funds to sustain increased wages for its employees. It is clear that the district has the money to compensate teachers more fairly, but it is overspending on programs such as additional professional development days, which are meant to inform teachers on new educational strategies. However, the program was poorly organized and unnecessary, but the wage increases for teachers are. With the MBUTA having requested higher wages without making significant progress, it is clear that taking drastic measures is the only way to get the district’s attention.
Per Public Information Officer Hibah Samad, the district plans to continue to meet with the teachers until an agreement is met. In order to expedite the negotiation process, it remains necessary for teachers to demonstrate in order to gain the attention of district officials. The teachers’ union demonstrations impede upon student activities such as Scholar Quiz. Additionally, the demonstrations restrict student access to teachers outside of working hours, according to Cook. However, one of the main goals of these demonstrations within MBUSD is to be recognized appropriately for the services that teachers offer.
Per Samad, both parties of the negotiations will continue to meet until an agreement over
wages, hours, and working conditions is reached. As inflation rates and COLA continue to
increase, teachers will not obtain a fair income without taking action.
Leave a Reply