A massive school workers walkout and districtwide shutdown loom in L.A.

Good morning, and welcome to the Essential California newsletter. It’s Friday, March 17.

As many as 65,000 Los Angeles Unified workers — teachers, cafeteria workers, bus drivers, custodians, nurses, librarians, special education assistants and others — from the district’s two largest labor unions plan a three-day walkout beginning Tuesday, March 21.

The expected walkout would force schools to close, and “represent the largest and longest full disruption of education [for LAUSD] since the six-day teachers’ strike of 2019,” Times reporters Howard Blume and Andrew J. Campa noted this week. “Not even pandemic campus closures, which lasted more than a year in Los Angeles, resulted in a complete halt to academic instruction.”

Leaders for Local 99 of Service Employees International Union and United Teachers Los Angeles announced the strike during a massive rally on Wednesday, calling for wage increases and improved conditions.

The strike follows a breakdown in negotiations between LAUSD officials and SEIU Local 99, which is calling for a 30% pay increase for all its members, plus an additional boost for the lowest-wage workers.

The pay increases are viewed as vital to help move LAUSD workers — many of whom work at schools part-time — out of poverty.

LAUSD’s offer to Local 99 members includes:

• a 5% ongoing wage increase retroactive to July 1, 2021
• an additional 5% ongoing wage increase retroactive to July 1, 2022
• a 5% wage increase that would take effect on July 1, 2023
• a one-time 4% “retention bonus” for the current school year
• another one-time 5% bonus the following year

Salary and raises are not the only issue. Local 99 and UTLA are also fighting for smaller class sizes and improved working conditions.

“Working families cannot wait for living wages,” Local 99 Executive Director Max Arias told The Times last month. “Students cannot wait for clean, safe and supportive schools.”

Local 99 is leading the strike, with UTLA members joining in solidarity. The latter group is also in negotiations with LAUSD for wage increases.

Local 99 leaders say the three-day strike is in protest of alleged illegal actions by L.A. Unified during the negotiation process. Arias told Blume last month that workers “have been subjected to surveillance, intimidation and harassment by the school district” during the bargaining process. LAUSD denies any wrongdoing.

With a three-day closure of all L.A. schools looming, district officials are scrambling to soften the blow to more than 420,000 students and their families.

L.A. schools Supt. Alberto Carvalho emailed families this week, advising them to make child-care arrangements. He said the district is speaking with community groups about a plan to get food to kids — given that many rely on school lunches through the school week — and help families with child care.

Carvalho also vowed to be available around the clock to meet with union leaders and come to a resolution.

“I commit myself 24/7, day and night ... to find a solution that will avoid, will avert a strike that will avoid keeping kids home, will avoid kids from going hungry in our community without access to the food they get in school,” he said during a Wednesday news conference.

As of Thursday evening, no new talks between Local 99 and LAUSD had been scheduled, though that could change in the coming days.

And now, here’s what’s happening across California, from Karim Doumar:

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STORMS

The 11th atmospheric river storm of the season left a trail of soggy misery in California as it broke decades-old rainfall records and breached levees this week. L.A. Times

Four buildings in San Clemente have been deemed unsafe after heavy rains caused a massive landslide along the coast. San Clemente Mayor Chris Duncan said he wasn’t sure how many people were evacuated, but the four buildings include 20 units, though some are vacation or second homes. L.A. Times

• More: Dramatic drone photos show where land gave way under cliffside residences in San Clemente

The sog slog continues: Forecast calls for even more rain through March

POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT

Gov. Gavin Newsom this week will announce plans to remake San Quentin, one of the state’s most storied prisons, using a Scandinavian prison model that emphasizes rehabilitation. The vision for a new San Quentin includes job training for careers that can pay six figures, in trades such as plumbing, electrical work or truck driving, and using the complex as a last stop of incarceration before release. L.A. Times

Mayor Karen Bass says the city will house 4,000 homeless people during her first 100 days. Bass intends to get to 1,000 in part by carrying out more encampment operations. L.A. Times

• Related: Newsom says the state is on track to cut unsheltered homelessness by 15%

HOLLYWOOD

In case you worry that L.A. needs more studio space, the legendary Fox Studio Lot is set for a $1.5-billion expansion. One of Hollywood’s most celebrated movie factories may get an upgrade that would change the skyline of Century City and add production facilities to meet industry demand. L.A. Times

It’s not just teachers unions flexing their muscles. The Writers Guild of America is about to enter contract negotiations with major studios. Its leaders are already pressing the case for why writers deserve a better deal. L.A. Times

MARCH MADNESS

UCLA and USC men’s teams prepared to begin their quest to reach the Final Four in Houston and the women in Dallas. Get up to speed with the tournament quickly with coverage from our sports department.

• Here are twelve things that must go right for UCLA during March Madness to raise banner No. 12
• Columnist Bill Plaschke says: UCLA’s toughness and resolve will be tested on the ugly road to the Final Four
• ‘There’s a method to our madness.’ How USC women built the best defense in program history

CALIFORNIA CULTURE

Torrey Pines State Beach, La Jolla.

(Illustration by Ross May / Los Angeles Times; Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

Giant sequoias, desert land and alpine peaks? California’s 280 state parks have it all. Visiting all 280 state parks, including our newest, Dos Rios, could take you 10 years, or it could take you a lifetime. L.A. Times

AND FINALLY

Don’t let the name of today’s California landmark fool you — it’s 100% local. Donald Carper of Fair Oaks shouts out Alabama Hills, located in the Sierra Nevada.

Look closely at the rocky formations in Alabama Hills and you might see someone looking back.

(Donald Carper)

Donald writes:

What are California’s essential landmarks? Fill out this form to send us your photos of a special spot in California — natural or human-made. Tell us why it’s interesting and what makes it a symbol of life in the Golden State. Please be sure to include only photos taken directly by you. Your submission could be featured in a future edition of the newsletter.

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