SOUTHEAST L.A. COUNTY : Teachers in ABC District Call for Strike on Friday

The teachers union has called a strike to begin Friday in the ABC Unified School District, which serves Cerritos, Artesia, Hawaiian Gardens and parts of surrounding cities.

A tentative contract settlement unraveled when the school system learned that it had more money than originally estimated. Union leaders said the money should be used to restore contract concessions made in a recent tentative agreement; the district said the money will be needed to pay for existing salary commitments and as insurance against an expected shortfall in state school funding.

Teachers voted Monday to reject the tentative agreement, which included a 1.5% pay reduction and increased class sizes. The board imposed the contract by a 4-3 vote Tuesday night, setting the stage for Friday’s scheduled walkout.

Union leaders have offered to resume negotiations, but district officials said they have nothing more to offer. The district plans to use teacher substitutes and has hired extra security officers.