L.A. Unified finds money to expand health benefits despite budget worries
The Los Angeles Board of Education on Monday voted to extend health benefits to two groups of part-time employees despite ongoing concerns about the school systems long-term financial health.
The employees winning health benefits include teacher assistants and playground aides, who are members of Local 99 of Service Employees International. The unions win comes as the season nears for school board elections and candidate endorsements. The union is expected to be a significant player in the March 2017 elections.
The new benefits will take effect next year and will initially cost an estimated $16 million annually. They are likely to benefit about 4,200 workers. The seven-member board approved the deal without discussion or opposition in an action that took less than a minute.
It really is the path toward a new day for our employees, said school board President Steve Zimmer as he moved quickly to the next item.
Read more: http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-edu-lausd-expands-health-benefits-20160823-snap-story.html