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Los Angeles: 40,000 teachers protest budget cuts

Published Jun 14, 2008 8:19 AM

More than 40,000 teachers with the United Teachers Los Angeles sacrificed an hour of their pay to protest proposed state budget cuts on June 6. The hour-long protests were held in front of schools, as students entered campus and administrators were relegated to supervising children. From elementary through high school, students, parents, teachers and labor supporters wore placards and distributed flyers to other parents, students and commuters. Labor and community support was evident with cars honking, hands waving and volunteers and students remaining outside with their teachers.


United Teachers Los Angeles fight for the
right to an education.
Photo: James Casey

The last time UTLA had an action was in 1989, when teachers went on strike for two weeks. The June 6 action went beyond the union’s expectations, with 75 percent of teachers not reporting for work and other support staff, who were not authorized to stay out, remaining outside in a show of solidarity.

The proposed budget cuts include no cost-of-living increase for teachers and cuts to many programs throughout the schools. According to the Los Angeles Unified School District, these state budget cuts will mean a $353-million-dollar shortfall. Because of the budget cuts, LAUSD has said that 6,500 probationary teachers will be laid off, an action UTLA has vowed to fight.

While LAUSD Superintendent David Brewer was unsuccessful in his attempt to get a restraining order against the protest, a smear telephone campaign was implemented in an attempt to discredit the union’s action. According to UTLA President A. J. Duffy, “If he [Brewer] was standing next to me ... then no Legislature, no governor would try to take the kind of cuts out of education that they’re talking about.” (Los Angeles Times, June 7).

Scare tactics were also used, claiming students’ safety was at risk. However, no incidents or injuries were reported during the stay-out. Instead, many older students remained outside independently or with parents to protest, and younger children were cooperative and concerned inside the campuses. Many students complained later that they were bored and missed their teachers. The large turnout and positive reports demonstrate that the action, and future actions if necessary, will be well supported and well attended.

While schools throughout the Los Angeles area and the country are in dire need of funds to improve student achievement and secure jobs, the continued attack on public education is just an indication that public education is not a priority to any administration—from Sacramento, Calif., to Washington, D.C.

To slash education from the most vulnerable of individuals—children—is shameful and does indeed leave every child left behind. UTLA is a united front that will stand at the vanguard and protect public education, the rights of teachers and other labor as they fight for a decent wage and job security.