LAUSD starts voting on potential strike

(FOX 11) - LAUSD teachers began week-long voting Thursday to potentially go on strike if their union and LAUSD officials couldn't come to an agreement on contract negotiations later this fall.

Talks have already been going on for more than a year--specifically 17 months and 140 hours of bargaining according to UTLA.

The teacher's union is now accusing the country's second largest school district of dragging its feet.

"The district made it clear they're not available until close to the beginning of October, that's almost 60 days since a mediator was appointed. That's legally questionable and morally indefensible," said UTLA executive director Jeff Good.

The union's demands include smaller class sizes and higher salaries.

The district is offering 6 percent over 3 years and a one time 2 percent bonus. The union wants a retroactive 6.5 percent salary increase.

The district says this will plunge it into a deficit.

Parents say they hope teachers look at a longer view

"I've heard our board members are interested in putting a parcel tax or some other measure on the 2020 ballot. But the feeling is before we can approve that we need to show we can live within our budget and that means all sides have to come together to look for a compromise," said a mother of a LAUSD student.