'Landmark' Deal To Pay LAUSD Cafeteria Workers, Custodians $15 An Hour

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Officials with the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) are set to reveal details of a tentative deal with a union representing nearly 20,000 cafeteria workers, custodians and other employees that would raise their minimum wage to over $15 an hour over two years.

The "landmark" deal was announced Monday by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), which represents the workers.

In addition to the minimum wage increase for workers earning below $15 an hour, the agreement includes pay increases of over 6 percent for all others workers, restoration of special education work hours, and increased staffing hours, according to SEIU.

"This historic agreement showcases how labor unions and school districts can work together for the good of our entire communities," said SEIU Local 99 Executive Director Courtni Pugh. "It will change the lives of tens of thousands of working families and it will have a significant impact on closing the opportunity gap among low-income students. The impact of this agreement will be felt for years to come."

Almost half of the school workers represented by Local 99 have children who attend school in the district, Pugh said.

District officials were expected to comment on the agreement at a news conference at LAUSD headquarters this afternoon following a vote on the proposed agreement, according to an LAUSD representative.