Thousands gather to push for better treatment, conditions at LAUSD schools

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Teachers, parents and students were holding a rally Thursday afternoon to push for better conditions and better treatment of teachers in local schools.

Thousands of teachers, staff and fellow union members gathered together and filled Grand Park for the rally. Everyone was dressed in red to show their solidarity.

Organizers said they wanted to send a very loud and clear message to the Los Angeles Unified School District: that they will not stop fighting for smaller class sizes, cleaner schools and fair compensation.

Last week, the United Teachers Los Angeles declared an impasse in negotiations with LAUSD.

The district said it is committed to reaching an agreement and will offer a 5 percent pay raise, which would be retroactive to July 2014. Also on the table is a salary increase for beginning teachers to $50,000 each year and would also add an additional $13 million to reduce secondary class sizes.

But teachers said they have not had a raise in eight years and need more than what the district is offering.

"We are the people who are teaching the future, and we don't want a strike. We don't want a strike, that's why we're here today trying to make a statement because if we strike then it affects the children, and what good is that? We want to be heard," teacher Patricia Ortega said.

Tom Waldman, officer of communications with LAUSD, said the district is focused on helping the children as well.

"This district is all about the kids. You know what would be best for the kids? If we get an agreement and the kids and their parents don't have to worry about a strike and in the classroom teachers can focus on learning," he said.

Officials said a mediator is being called in to help with negotiations. The mediator is expected to take part in the negotiations by the end of next month.

The rally continued until late into the afternoon.