Nearly 80 percent of Los Angeles County residents said they support LAUSD teachers who have chosen to go on strike during a contract battle with district leadership, according to a survey by the Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Center for the Study of Los Angeles at Loyola Marymount University.
Among respondents, 53 percent said they “strongly support” and 24 percent “somewhat support” teachers going on strike to achieve their demands in the labor dispute. Backing for the strike was at 60 percent or higher across all demographic categories, including age, ethnicity, income and political affiliation. Among parents with children at home, just 18 percent opposed the walkout.
“Despite reports about inconvenience for families with students in LAUSD schools, the strike has strong support across the board,” said Brianne Gilbert, associate director of the center. “These results show the labor movement remains a powerful force in Los Angeles, where many families believe union organizing in other fields has improved their quality of life.”
Educators represented by United Teachers of Los Angeles walked off the job Monday, launching their first strike in 30 years. Teachers are seeking smaller class sizes, more support staff at schools and guaranteed pay raises after balking at offers made by LAUSD leadership.
The question was part of a wide-ranging survey that makes up a piece of Forecast LA, the center’s annual report and conference on social and economic trends in the region. The survey is currently still in the field, but researchers analyzed 425 responses to this question that were gathered before the strike began.
“We may see a different response to this question if the teachers remain on the picket lines for an extended period of time, and the realities of the work stoppage hit home,” Gilbert said. “But for now, it’s clear that L.A. stands with its striking teachers.”
The full report can be found here.