LAUSD teachers to boycott mandatory faculty meetings amid pay dispute

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Thousands of teachers in the Los Angeles Unified School District plan to boycott mandatory faculty meetings on Tuesday despite being warned they will not be paid for the work time missed.

The boycott, which is an effort to push for higher pay, is scheduled for 3 p.m. after school and will not affect students.

The United Teachers Los Angeles union wants an 8.5 percent raise, but the district is offering 5 percent.

LAUSD Superintendent Ramon Cortines is urging teachers not to boycott as they wait for a contract mediator. He said he is concerned this may lead to a strike.

Union leaders say instead of attending faculty meetings, teachers will gather in school parking lots and sidewalks in front of campuses. The teachers are also planning to boycott meetings on April 7 and April 14.