AILSA CHANG, HOST:
Here in Los Angeles County, public schools are closed today. Basically, all of the support staff that keeps these schools running – people like custodians, the cafeteria workers, the bus drivers – they are on strike fighting for wage increases and respect, among other issues. Many of these workers earn less than $25,000 per year, and many work part-time schedules. Their union is now in mediation with the school district, and Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho joins us now. Welcome.
ALBERTO CARVALHO: Good afternoon. Thank you so much for having me today.
CHANG: Thank you for being with us. So tell me, what has your day been like so far? Like, have you seen any of these picket lines yourself at the schools or at the bus depot in Van Nuys? Have you talked with any of the strikers?
CARVALHO: I…
