Firefighters Join Los Angeles Teachers' Strike As Mayor Announces Deal

Firefighters in Los Angeles, California, joined striking teachers in a march on Tuesday, January 22, hours before Mayor Eric Garcetti announced a tentative deal with the local teachers union.

Hundreds of firefighters demonstrated Tuesday morning in support of public school teachers, who began a strike on January 14 to push for smaller class sizes and more resources, according to local media. Over the past week, thousands of teachers have taken to the streets, hobbling the Los Angeles Unified School District, the second largest in the nation.

Only hours after members of the firefighters union took to the streets, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced a tentative deal between the city and its teachers. The details of the deal, hammered out over a 21 hour long negotiation, have not been fully released. However, union representatives indicated it would support increases in staff and smaller class sizes.

Teachers are expected to return to their classroom on Wednesday, after union members vote on the agreement later today, according to the Los Angeles Times. Credit: Hector Saldivar via Storyful