LAUSD Strike Demonstrates Massive Union Power
Commentary
The Los Angeles Unified School District shuttered school doors March 21 after a strike by Local 99 members of the Service Employees International Union, which represents non-teaching employees. The United Teachers of Los Angeles, which represents teachers, joined the strike. The district’s 420,000 students are at home for the expected three-day duration of the strike. Well, at least they’re avoiding the heavy rains.
But even if the strike is called off quickly, the walkout shows the massive power of public-employee unions in California. They run the Democratic Party, and through it the state Legislature, the governor, and most members of Congress. Police unions commonly have great influence on city councils, sheriffs’ unions on boards of education, and the teachers’ unions on school boards….