While protests by Los Angeles fast food chains workers to raise the minimum wage have brought light to the issue of low wages recently, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) was able to achieve just that for Los Angeles schools’ service workers in early July.

The SEIU, Local 99 union represents 33,000 of the lowest-paid employees in schools, including custodians, teaching assistants, security and cafeteria workers. Most of these individuals made about $8 an hour in 2013 and were unable to support themselves or their families with a salary of $15,000.

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The pay raise for these Los Angeles school employees will happen in stages. First, the minimum wage rose to $11 an hour in July 2014. It will raise to $13 an hour next year and the $15 an hour wage will be in full effect by July 1, 2016. Although the raise will help bring more income to many of these people, they will remain among Los Angeles’ lowest-paid workers, partly because many of these workers do not work full time.

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In a news release by the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) early July, the Los Angeles Board of Education approved of this minimum wage hike for service workers at LAUSD schools.

“The important agreements approved by the board today mark a significant movement in the recent history of LAUSD. We have begun to rebuild our school communities while taking the first steps to make our employees whole,” Board Vice President Steve Zimmer said in the release. 

Board Member Móníca García also approved of the wage hike in the press release.

“Every agreement with our labor partners is a movement towards educational wellness, economic recovery, and investment in our schools and students. Thank you to every employee for your continued investment and contribution to our students’ achievement,” said García.

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The release concluded by addressing LAUSD teachers in regards to a salary increase.

“Although school teachers were not affected by the latest salary increases, L.A. Unified hopes to begin negotiations with the union representing classroom educators, the United Teachers Los Angeles,” said the release.

Read more at the Los Angeles Times here.

Reach Staff Reporter Niki Hashemi here and follow her on Twitter.