For immediate release
July 10, 2020
Media Contact
Anna Bakalis 213-305-9654
POLL Results: 83% of UTLA members say LAUSD schools should not physically reopen August 18
Out of the more than 18,000 UTLA members who submitted responses to our informal poll in less than 12 hours, 83% agree with the UTLA Board of Directors and Bargaining Team that LAUSD should not physically reopen schools on August 18.
Because of the overwhelming response to the online member poll, the deadline to submit responses was extended to 8 pm. There were technical issues related to some aggressive spam filters that interfered with delivery and the poll function. The poll asked one question: Do you agree with the UTLA Board of Directors and UTLA Bargaining Team that LAUSD should not physically reopen school campuses on August 18th?
“It is hitting us hard to think we may not be back with our students in the fall,” UTLA President Cecily Myart-Cruz said. “And we know this is hard on our students and their parents, so many of whom have stepped up as our partners in teaching while struggling with the economic fallout of this crisis. But safety must come first, along with a commitment to focus on strengthening distance learning.”
The spike in COVID cases — with California recording its highest one-day virus death toll this week — has changed the calculations for when it is safe to go back to schools. Even before the surge, there were serious issues with starting the school year on physical campuses. State and federal governments have not provided the resources or funds to start school safely, and there is not enough time for the district to put together the detailed, rigorous plans that must be in place to reopen our sites.
UTLA is bargaining with the school district and we have another bargaining session scheduled with LAUSD next week.
Other countries that have reopened schools — such as New Zealand, Vietnam, and Germany — did so only after they had flattened the curve, accompanied by broad societal preparedness, including rapid case identification, contact tracing, and isolation. The U.S. is not even close to meeting these benchmarks.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
The Trump/DeVos arbitrary command to “open up schools” or forego federal funding is absurd, but typical of their intent to undermine teachers and portray them as self-centered unionists, mostly Democrats, eager to make Trumpsters look bad, and unconcerned about the economy. Ignore the mandate and be sensible. Also be aware that new information about this virus is emerging every day. Delayed openings are likely to be safer.
I’m a UTLA member, yet I received neither a text nor an e-mail directing me where to cast a vote. No wonder why only 18,000 of the 33,000 members “voted”. The results of the District survey (completed over a month ago) indicated that 39% of staff [or was it faculty members?] did not want to go back, come August. I’m sure the 39% grew in the meantime, but certainly not to 83% of District faculty.
UTLA utilizes a republican form of governance that, in this day and age, should switch over to a democratic form; reliable, direct ballot casting should be made on issues. Although I’m a liberal with a socialist bent. since last year’s strike I have been feeling increasingly alienated by the union leadership and its resolutions and decisions. This is to the point where the union no longer represents my interests half the time…and there is no recourse.
If you did not receive a link to the survey, talk to your site rep or visit utla.net with your name, email, and employee number so we can, with the right information, better hear from you in the future. UTLA exists to help you and wants to listen to you. Also, consider talking to your site rep about your concerns as they arise. Teachers unions stand up for those who cannot stand alone and need protection. We do it with collective action, but every individual teacher‘s voice needs to be heard and conversations need to be constant. Your voice is important. So is my voice. I am proud that we went on strike, proud that we moved to hold students harmless for tech inequality at the start of the shutdown, proud that we reduced the amount of policing on campus, and proud that we are resisting throwing away lives — especially Black lives — in pursuit of stock market gains.
Agree!
Are you going to be just as proud if there is a school shooting and no police on campus to respond?