The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has reached agreements with two of its unions, United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) and the Associated Administrators of Los Angeles (AALA), as of April 14, 2026. The UTLA agreement includes an 11.65% salary increase, raising the starting salary for teachers to $77,000. However, negotiations with the Service Employees International Union Local 99 (SEIU Local 99), which represents over 30,000 cafeteria workers, bus drivers, and special education assistants, are still ongoing.
If SEIU Local 99 does not finalize an agreement, a strike could disrupt education for nearly 400,000 students who rely on LAUSD for their daily education, meals, and child care. The urgency of these negotiations is underscored by a projected $191 million deficit for the 2027-28 school year, raising concerns about the district’s financial sustainability.
The agreements with UTLA and AALA come after months of negotiations that began when the unions’ contracts expired in June 2025. Julie Van Winkle, a spokesperson for UTLA, emphasized, “The district CAN afford these changes,” highlighting the financial resources available to support educators and staff. She further stated, “This contract fight has never been about prolonging conflict. It has always been about securing the respect and investments that educators and students deserve.”
Despite these agreements, SEIU Local 99 has expressed dissatisfaction with LAUSD’s offers. A representative from Local 99 stated, “LAUSD’s offer is still NOT ENOUGH. Local 99 members are struggling to make ends meet.” This sentiment reflects the broader challenges faced by support staff amid rising living costs, with the recent inflation rate hovering around 3.3%.
Observers note that the agreements must still be ratified by each union’s members and the district board to take effect. The potential for a strike looms large, especially as the negotiations with SEIU Local 99 remain unresolved. The union’s representatives have indicated that the current offers do not meet the needs of their members.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the specific terms of the contracts and the timeline for ratification. As the situation develops, the impact on students and staff will become clearer, with many hoping for a resolution that avoids further disruption to the educational environment in Los Angeles.
