LAUSD defends against putative class action suit brought by two retired teachers

Client(s) Los Angeles Unified School District

Jones Day represented the Los Angeles Unified School District ("LAUSD") in a putative class action brought by two retired teachers alleging LAUSD failed to abide by various collective bargaining agreements by providing promised retirement health benefits. Plaintiffs argued that LAUSD promised, in various collective bargaining agreements, to provide retired teachers with the exact same health benefits they enjoyed at the time of their retirement. LAUSD argued that Plaintiffs' interpretation of the collective bargaining agreements was not supported by the plain language of the agreements and it would require LAUSD to provide health benefits no longer offered by health care providers.

Superior Court judge Jane L. Johnson granted LAUSD's motion for summary judgment on the claims of the named plaintiffs, specifically rejecting plaintiffs' legal theory and interpretation of the applicable provisions of the collective bargaining agreements, while affirming LAUSD's interpretation.

Chraft v. LAUSD, Case No. BC449513 (LA. Cty. Super. Ct.)