Teachers strike at L.A. charter schools too, a first for California

Maria Corona, center, a teacher at the Accelerated Schools, a group of public charter schools in South Los Angeles, joins fellow educators as they picket outside the school on second day of the Los Angeles teachers’ strike. Teachers at three charter schools in South Los Angeles walked off the job Tuesday, marking the first time ever that a charter school organization in California went on strike, according to the teachers union. “Better salaries, better health benefits and better job protections.” Accelerated co-founder and CEO Johnathan Williams said in a statement that “Accelerated Schools is disheartened that the United Teachers Los Angeles leadership has called for a strike, putting our students and families in the middle of contract demands.” His statement said the union last year had agreed on a three-year contract “for a significant salary raise of more than 17%, which teachers now enjoy.” He also said the school’s pending proposal includes $17,000 per year in benefits coverage. The union rejected the school’s latest offer, “which included a process for teachers with strong performance evaluations to receive a guaranteed two-year contract with a $2,000 bonus upon completion,” Williams said. There’s not enough participation when there are fewer students, he said.Standing outside Accelerated on Tuesday after school ended, Arroyo said his classes were taught by substitutes so it felt like a “normal day.” Arroyo said he supported the striking teachers: “They have the right idea trying to make the school a better place.” [email protected] Twitter: @dakotacdsmith