The Boulevard Sentinel emailed NELA’s elected leaders – local, state and federal – asking whether they support the teachers, the LAUSD or are neutral. Here are the replies:
L.A. City Councilmember Gil Cedillo, Council District 1: “Councilmember Cedillo is with teachers and hopes both parties can reach an agreement as soon as possible to minimize disruptions to the classroom.”
L.A. City Councilmember José Huizar, Council District 14: “Teachers deserve better wages and our kids deserve better conditions in classrooms and schools. Teaching is one of the most important and critical jobs and those striking for a quality education deserve our support. Hopefully a resolution is reached soon.”
L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis, 1st District: “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.”
State Senator Maria Elena Durazo, Senate District 24: “I stand with our teachers. They fight for our kids. We want our teachers to be able to have all the resources they need to help our kids succeed. Si Se Puede!
State Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo, 51st Assembly District: “Today and always, I stand in solidarity with our teachers and their demands for smaller class sizes, nurses at every school site and more resources. I am a proud graduate of Roosevelt High School [in Boyle Heights]. I know firsthand the impact of overcrowded and under-resourced schools in low income communities. For the sake of our most vulnerable families and students most in need, especially those that rely on free and reduced meal programs, I am urging UTLA and LAUSD to continue to negotiate and find a resolution quickly.
U.S. Member of Congress Jimmy Gomez, 34th Congressional District: “I strongly support the right of educators to organize, form a union, and bargain with their employers. As a former union organizer, I know firsthand the decision to strike doesn’t come lightly. The hardworking men and women of UTLA aren’t just fighting for themselves, but also on behalf of over 600,000 students, many of whom are my constituents. I sincerely hope UTLA and the Los Angeles Unified School District can soon come to an equitable agreement that benefits its students, teachers, and staff.”
U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein: No reply
U.S. Senator Kamala Harris: “Los Angeles teachers work day in and day out to inspire and educate the next generation of leaders. I’m standing in solidarity with them as they strike for improved conditions, such as smaller class sizes and more counselors and librarians.”
This story was updated on Jan. 16 at 5:59pm to include a response from Jimmy Gomez.
T.A. Hendrickson, a native of Eagle Rock, is the editor of the Boulevard Sentinel and a former member of the Editorial Board of the New York Times.
