The Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education is standing in solidarity with local and national labor movements fighting for better working conditions, living wages and respect.

The board approved a resolution that reaffirms its support for striking members of WGA, SAG-AFTRA, UNITE HERE Local 11 hotel workers, and extends this support to all workers around the world engaged in the struggle for just labor conditions. It also commits the district to avoid doing any business that would force employees to cross picket lines.

“While I’ve been on the board for two strikes, we have always been able to find common ground in the need for basic fairness, respect, and decency as we work toward a resolution,” board member Nick Melvoin said. “Amid this powerful resurgence of workers’ rights movements, this resolution intends to address the disappointing reality that not everyone shares those same commitments – and support the people on the front lines fighting for what they deserve.”

“The employees of Los Angeles Unified are among the best workforce in the world,” said Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho. “I am consistently overcome with gratitude at the tireless dedication our employees demonstrate on a daily basis.”

SEIU Local 99 executive director Max Arias commended the board for recognizing its role as an employer and member of the local communities it serves.

“Through this resolution, the board has acknowledged that labor is not just for one day or one industry. It recognizes that working families are at the core of LAUSD and when working parents strive for better lives, it is ultimately their children – LAUSD’s students – who stand the most to gain,” Arias said.