School Security Officers, Teachers Stage ‘Sickouts’ in Calif.

The sickouts are an attempt to push for better pay and health benefits.

Security officers for the Compton Unified School District joined teachers and custodians in what they’re calling “sickouts” as union members push for better pay.

The sickouts, where district employees simultaneously call in sick, were staged for the third time on Feb. 29 as the district negotiates new employment contracts, according to L.A.’s CBS Local.

One union employee said the strikes have not been voted on or formally called for by the union, but are being staged to make a point.

District officials offered teachers a two percent pay increase in February, although negotiations have since stalled.

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Most teachers in the district were in school on Feb. 29 and Superintendent Darin Brawley said the absences “did not impact classroom instruction.”

The absence of security officers, however, has been more widespread. No teachers called in sick at Compton High School, for instance, but security officers staged sickouts there and at the majority of the schools in the district.

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The workers are also striking for better health benefits.

The union would not comment on the sickouts.

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