SEIU Local 99, the union representing school support staff, said late Thursday night that no agreement has been reached with the Los Angeles Unified School District and that it remains on track for a strike on April 14, with no additional bargaining sessions currently scheduled.
In a social media post late Thursday, the union said an emergency bargaining session requested by the district produced “no real movement” and that its planned strike would move forward. A union spokesperson for SEIU Local 99, which includes 30,000 workers, confirmed for this publication that “no agreement has been reached and we are still on for a strike.” The Los Angeles Unified School District did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Leaders with Associated Administrators of Los Angeles, which represents roughly 3,000 principals and administrators, said the district is expected to respond with a counterproposal and that they are moving forward with strike preparations in coordination with other labor groups. As of now, no additional bargaining sessions are scheduled, said President Maria Nichols.
Meanwhile, United Teachers Los Angeles, which represents around 37,000 educators, is expected to return to the bargaining table Saturday following a full day of talks Wednesday that ended ended without a deal.
The update comes days before a potential walkout that could involve tens of thousands of employees across the nation’s second-largest school district, and for the first time, includes the district’s three largest labor groups – a move that could disrupt school operations and force families to seek alternative child care and learning arrangements.
In a statement Thursday morning, UTLA President Cecily Myart-Cruz said Wednesday’s talks showed some progress, but more work remains.
“The 150-member UTLA Bargaining Team met all day with LAUSD. While there was some constructive engagement, the district must do more to address critical issues like staffing, student mental health, and livable wages for educators,” Myart-Cruz said. “We will meet again on Saturday but are prepared to strike on April 14 should LAUSD fail to offer a fair agreement and invest in our school communities.”
LAUSD did not immediately reply to requests for comments. In a statement posted online Thursday, the district said it is preparing contingency plans in the event of a strike, including food distribution sites, child care options and take-home learning resources for students.
“As a District committed to our students and families, Los Angeles Unified is prioritizing clear and timely communication during this period,” the district said.
The district also announced the launch of a website: SchoolUpdates.lausd.org with updates and resources for families, along with an informational video outlining available support services during a potential work stoppage.
Meanwhile, Service Employees International Union Local 99, which represents roughly 30,000 support staff, including bus drivers, custodians, cafeteria workers and special education assistants, met with the district Thursday for a mediation session. Its members continued to work under a contract that expired on June 30, 2024.
The union has pushed for higher wages and more stable work schedules, saying many workers earn about $35,000 a year and struggle to qualify for health basic benefits due to reduced hours.
“We are hoping the district presents proposals that value the contributions of front line education workers and that ensure students have the full staffing and resources they deserve,” a union spokesperson said Thursday.
The spokesperson also said the district’s offer of a 13% increase over three years “does not lift dedicated school workers above poverty level,” and argued the district “can afford to do better,” citing its reserves.
A key point of contention has been the district’s financial reserves. Both UTLA and SEIU have argued the district has sufficient reserves to fund higher wages and staffing increases, while district officials have maintained that spending must be balanced against long-term financial stability.
State funding levels, including Proposition 98 allocations, have also factored into the debate, with union leaders arguing revenue projections are stronger than the district has indicated.
Across the unions, negotiations have centered on wages, staffing and working conditions. UTLA members, who have been working under a contract that expired June 30, have called for higher raises, smaller class sizes, increased support staff and limits on subcontracting, among other demands. The union has described its proposal as averaging about a 17% increase for members and has proposed raising starting teacher salaries by roughly 13% to about $77,670 as part of a broader change to the salary structure.
The district, meanwhile, in its latest proposal, has offered a one-time bonus of about 3% this school year, and phased raises totaling roughly 8%, starting 4% on July 1 and 4% on Jan. 1, along with an additional 2% increase on Jan. 1, 2028. District officials say the offer reflects financial constraints and remains among the most generous in the state.
Other unions have emphasized similar concerns, including higher wages and more consistent work hours for support staff, as well as increased pay and clearer work-hour protections for administrators.