Looming LAUSD teachers' strike set for April 14

LAUSD teachers' strike looms

Los Angeles Unified School District officials and three labor unions are set to meet this week for newly scheduled bargaining sessions as pressure builds to reach an agreement before a possible strike that is scheduled to begin April 14, officials announced Tuesday.

LOS ANGELES - Labor tensions in the nation’s second-largest school district have reached a critical phase as Los Angeles Unified School District officials and union leaders enter a high-stakes week of negotiations. 

What we know:

Three influential unions—United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA), SEIU Local 99, and the Associated Administrators of Los Angeles (AALA)—are prepared to walk out on April 14 if no deal is reached.

The district has already reached agreements with five other labor partners, but these remaining three represent the core of classroom instruction, campus operations, and school leadership. 

Currently, the district is offering staggered raises (e.g., 4% in July followed by 4% in 2027 for teachers), while UTLA is pushing for an immediate 13% increase to starting salaries.

What they're saying:

"Educators, school staff and administrators across Los Angeles are united and ready to act next week if necessary," UTLA President Cecily Myart-Cruz said in a statement, noting that while previous proposals fell short, the new sessions offer an "opportunity for meaningful solutions." 

Meanwhile, an LAUSD spokesperson emphasized that the district remains "committed to reaching an agreement that supports employees while also protecting the long-term financial stability of the district."

What we don't know:

It remains unclear if a partial agreement would be enough to keep schools functioning. 

The Los Angeles Times reported that even if two of the three unions settle, the district likely cannot maintain safe campus operations. 

There is also a fundamental dispute over the district's "complex" budget; unions point to a $5 billion reserve as proof the district can afford their demands, while officials argue they are facing ongoing deficit spending.

What you can do:

District officials recommend that families begin preparing immediately for a potential shutdown by taking the following steps:

• Verify Access: Ensure students can log into Schoology, the district’s online learning platform.
• Childcare: Scout alternative childcare options for the duration of the potential walkout.
• Nutrition: Identify local food resources, as the district has warned parents to prepare alternative options for weekday breakfasts and lunches.

What's next:

Bargaining is set to resume on Wednesday. 

If these sessions do not result in a breakthrough by the end of the week, the scheduled walkout will begin Tuesday morning.