Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1545867
LLEA President Maria Pilios (fist raised) led the local and its many supporters in a successful strike in April. LITTLE LAKE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION Parents and community came out in droves to support LLEA educators during their strike April 16–29, the first in 150 years. The 200-member local fought for and won 90% of health benefits, additional support for special education teachers and a growing population of students with special education needs, and no increase to class sizes, with each teacher receiving a $1,000 bonus. To other chapters considering a similar action, LLEA President Maria Pilios advised, "Make sure you reach out to your communities because the school board knows we work for them, but sometimes they forget they work for the community. The parents were the driving factor in our fight." APPLE VALLEY UNIFIED TEACHERS ASSOCIATION Low wages, increased cost of living, and larger class sizes were forcing many AVUTA educators to neighboring districts, yet Apple Valley Unified refused to address their issues. In February, 91% of AVUTA members voted to authorize a strike, with 78% voicing no confidence in the district superintendent. AVUTA achieved a tentative agreement later that month, with a boost in wages to improve educator retention, more affordable health care benefits and smaller class sizes. AVUTA members, joined by CTA President David Goldberg, at a school board rally in January. DUEA members were strike-ready in January. DUARTE UNIFIED EDUCATION ASSOCIATION After years without salary increases and with the lowest district health benefits contributions in LA County, and after more than a year of negotiating and mediation, DUEA educators were fed up. All 170 members participated in a strike authorization vote, which passed with 97% support. In January, DUEA reached a tentative agreement that included salary increases, improved district health benefits contributions and elementary prep time. DUEA also collected signatures from 86% of members in support of the Prop. 55 extension campaign. Chapter leaders have begun to train other locals in the San Gabriel Valley on organizing to win better agreements. REGION 3 13 S U M M E R 2 0 26