LAUSD Approves Union Labor Pacts

Los Angeles - The Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education approved labor pacts with its employee unions today and rescinded thousands of layoff notices sent to teachers, counselors and other workers.

Six LAUSD employee unions agreed to take four furlough days in the coming school year, which will be shortened by three days. The move saved enough money to allow the district to rescind 3,433 layoff-warning notices that had been sent to teachers and counselors. The district also canceled the planned layoffs of 1,600 bus drivers, cafeteria workers and special education assistants.

"Once again, our LAUSD family has stepped up to preserve our classrooms and services for our students," LAUSD Superintendent John Deasy said. "We are grateful for their commitment to help us keep our district as stable as possible during this continued financial crisis."

Layoff notices remain in effect for more than 2,000 teachers, counselors and other support personnel. District officials said they were continuing to monitor the LAUSD's financial situation to determine if other layoff notices can be rescinded.

The union agreements will ensure that class sizes will remain at 24 students for kindergarten through third grades; 31 students in fourth and fifth grades; and 35 students in grades six through eight.

Some layoffs could be reinstated and other cuts could be imposed if the state's financial situation deteriorates further, Deasy said.