School Resumes After Three-Day Strike | Pacific Palisades
School resumed across Los Angeles Unified School District on Friday, March 24—including at Palisades Charter Elementary, Canyon Charter Elementary, Marquez Charter Elementary and Paul Revere Charter Middle schools—after a three-day strike led by SEIU Local 99.
SEIU Local 99 is the union that represents 50,000 education workers—including cafeteria workers, special education assistants, custodians and bus drivers—in K-12 schools, early education centers and homes, and community colleges throughout Southern California. The strike was “over unfair labor practices,” according to a statement released by the organization. UTLA—United Teachers Los Angeles—the union that represents public school educators in Los Angeles, joined the strike in solidarity with SEIU Local 99.
On Friday, March 24, SEIU Local 99 announced it had reached a “tentative agreement with LAUSD,” addressing “key demands” and setting the union “on a clear pathway to improving” livelihoods and “securing the staffing” needed to “improve student services.”
Highlights of the agreement, according to SEIU Local 99’s website, include 30% wage increase; retroactive pay of $4,000 to $8,000, depending on job classification and years of services; $1,000 bonus for all working in 2020-23; and more.
“Our fight brought our city and country together,” SEIU Local 99 wrote. “Mayor Karen Bass was instrumental to getting the district to finally start hearing our demands. We are stronger as a union, and we have a stronger voice to fight for our students.”
SEIU Local 99 members will vote on the agreement, with results expected to be announced Saturday, April 8.
—SARAH SHMERLING
Rain Update | Pacific Palisades
During the most recent storms, Pacific Palisades received 1.99 inches of rain March 18 through 22nd, according to Craig Weston, who tracks local weather data.
“This brings our yearly rain total to an abundant 28.87 inches,” Weston explained. “I have been keeping detailed totals since 2015 and this year represents the highest rain amount over this time frame, surpassing the 25.17 inches the Palisades received in 2019.”
Los Angeles is “well above” its yearly average—measured from July 1, 2022, to June 30—of just under 15 inches of rain.
As the Palisadian-Post went to print Tuesday, additional rain was in the forecast, with an 80% chance on Wednesday, March 29, and a 50% chance on Thursday, March 30.
—SARAH SHMERLING
Historical Hike | Pacific Palisades
Pacific Palisades Historical Society will host a Los Liones Historical Hike—“a salute to volunteerism”—on Saturday, April 1, beginning with sign in at the amphitheater in the first parking lot at 8:45 a.m.
“Pacific Palisades Historical Society was founded 50 years ago in 1972 to advance education and to collect, document and preserve historical objects relating to Pacific Palisades,” according to a statement from the organization. “Sharing history and providing education about the history of Pacific Palisades is particularly important as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of PPHS and the 29th anniversary of Los Liones Gateway Park.”
The event will be led by Randy Young and Shirley Haggstrom, which includes a “moderate-level” hike, followed by a program and light refreshments in the amphitheater.
Those who wish to attend can RSVP to pacpalhistoricalsociety@gmail.com.
—SARAH SHMERLING
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