Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis released the following statement after the United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) strike at Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) schools began:
“As the teacher’s strike in Los Angeles begins, I urge LAUSD to move quickly to address UTLA’s concerns: bulging class sizes, frozen salaries, negative impacts of charter co-location, and most importantly, all the resources necessary to provide a world-class education to every child in LAUSD.
As a lifelong supporter of working women and men, and as a former Labor Secretary, I stand with my sisters and brothers who are out on the picket line, asking only for what is fair and best for their students. Keeping in mind the impact of this strike on nearly 700,000 students and their families, I ask LAUSD to identify a path forward as quickly as possible.
I am only where I am today because a public school teacher, Mr. Robert Sanchez, believed in me. Many people can relate to this story about a single teacher who changed their life. Simply put, our children need their teachers back.
While I remain hopeful that this strike will have a swift resolution, there are a few non-school options for LAUSD students:
- All LA County Libraries will be open.
- The Natural History Museum in Exposition Park, the La Brea Tar Pits Museum, and the William S. Hart Museum will offer free admission and activities between 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. on strike days.
- The Petersen Automotive Museum will offer free admission to LAUSD students through February 2nd, regardless of whether the strike takes place.
- The L.A. Zoo will offer students free admission on strike days. In addition, the Zoo will offer a “Community Safari Day” program for children between K-5.
- Free fares for LAUSD students from 5 a.m. and 7 p.m. on strike days on all LA Metro buses, light-rail, and subway lines.
Additionally, I have authored a motion for Tuesday’s meeting of the Board of Supervisors to direct County Departments to immediately identify, implement, and promote programs and activities for students and their families to mitigate the impact of the strike.”
