Every day it becomes clearer that the education bosses who run a small Los Angeles school district only care about one thing - maximizing profit. While schools are seen as non-profit organizations, the bosses running this district have over $80 million piled in reserves. Year after year they have robbed students of what they need in the classroom to continue to line their pockets and stack their reserves. But educators have only deepened their resolve to fight for a “fair” contract (see 11/16 article for the backstory). Members of Progressive Labor Party (PLP), who had already played a central role in uniting teachers, counselors, and community members, continue to help organize a growing rank-and-file movement committed to centering the needs of their students.

Party members’ message throughout this struggle has remained consistent: even the best-won contract cannot fix an education system rooted in inequality. We are struggling with those around us to not only be involved in the fight for a “fair” contract, but for a long-term goal of building a society where all people can fully realize their potential - communism.

One coworker in particular was hesitant to attend the last board meeting. A Party member struggled with her and she decided to go. She was so inspired by the event that she came back to the school and gave a rousing talk to the rest of the staff about how empowering it was to participate, and she encouraged everyone to join the November protest. The group in attendance from that school tripled in size as a result.

Then, at the protest, she shared that she always would drive by protests and not pay much attention. Since the October board meeting though, she drove by a protest and laid on her horn enthusiastically, remembering how important supporting workers fighting back was. This seemingly small change is important in building a growing class consciousness among workers with whom we have influence.

Bosses’ lackeys fail to trick workers into backing down on protest

The district’s administration attempted to pressure educators into jointly filing for impasse—an effort many workers saw as an attempt to shut down legitimate collective action. Instead of backing down, organizers helped mobilize another 50 workers to attend the district’s monthly board meeting in protest.

Outside the building, passersby leaving work or driving by honked, slowed down to listen, and accepted union leaflets. That organic support energized the crowd—and students joined in too. Several wrote to the board to express their solidarity with the educators they see every day, highlighting the deep ties between school staff and the young people they serve.

As protesters entered the meeting, the district’s two highest-paid officials glared, but the atmosphere shifted when the union president took the microphone. He reminded the board that the people who keep schools functioning were in the room—organized, united, and unwilling to accept disrespect.

When he yielded the remaining time to a veteran math teacher of over 20 years, the district’s CEO abruptly attempted to block the educator from speaking. Witnesses described this moment as a turning point. A PLP member in the crowd began chanting “Let him speak!”, to which the entire group joined in. Despite warnings to “remain civil,” the workers continued chanting until the CEO relented.

Party members’ involvement is essential to the fightback

The math teacher addressed the board with calm resolve. He noted that the district’s 25-year history of passive labor relations had ended and that  a new chapter—defined by confidence, unity, and collective action—was beginning.

Once his remarks concluded, the same PLP organizer led the group in another chant as they marched out in lockstep from the district’s polished downtown offices. On the sidewalk, workers congratulated one another and began planning how to bring even more coworkers, parents, and students into the next action.

Party members will continue to emphasize with base members, coworkers, and students that although they are fighting fiercely for a fair contract, they view the deeper struggle as much larger. Capitalism inherently produces educational inequality, regardless of how many small improvements are won at the bargaining table. The lasting achievement of this movement is the political development of workers, students, and families who—through participation in collective struggle—begin to question why the system operates as it does.

Our fight is far from over. We refused to file for impasse jointly, so the district filed unilaterally. The review board has since denied their petition, so they will be forced back to the table. Of course district leaders will continue to rely on intimidation or delay tactics, but educators and their supporters appear increasingly confident in their collective strength. More actions are on the horizon, but we will remain focused not only on immediate contract demands, but also on building a broader movement capable of reshaping the future of our schools and communities.