LAUSD Faces Possible Strike as Last Union Negotiates

As the clock ticks down to a potential walkout, families in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) are filled with uncertainty and anxiety. With a strike deadline set for April 14, 2026, the district's fate hangs in the balance as negotiations continue with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 99, which has yet to reach an agreement.

On April 13, 2026, LAUSD officials confirmed that they had reached tentative agreements over the weekend with two other unions representing teachers and administrators. The United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) and the Associated Administrators of Los Angeles (AALA) both secured contracts, but the situation remains precarious as SEIU Local 99, which includes around 30,000 support staff members such as cafeteria workers, custodians, and bus drivers, has not finalized a deal.

Under the agreements with UTLA, which includes approximately 35,000 educators, teachers are set to receive an average salary increase of 13.86%, with starting salaries rising to $77,000. AALA members will see a similar salary increase of 11.65% over two years. Yet, these agreements are not enough to prevent a strike, as all three unions pledged to walk out together if any one of them fails to secure a deal.

For families across the district, the uncertainty is particularly stressful. Many parents are scrambling to prepare for a potential strike that could disrupt their work and childcare arrangements. Tania Rivera, a mother of two children with disabilities, expressed her concerns: "I’m really anxious. We support the teachers, and we have similar concerns. We need more aides at school. But the impact for our kids is big. Families need to be part of this conversation." Rivera, who lives in South Gate, worries about how a strike would affect her emotionally fragile children, especially since her family has lost a key support member recently.

As the negotiations unfolded, SEIU Local 99 emphasized the urgency of their demands. They are seeking a 30% raise, citing that the district's current offer of a 13% wage increase over three years is insufficient. Max Arias, the executive director of SEIU Local 99, highlighted the struggles of union members, stating, "It is shameful that the workers who teach and nurture the children in our schools are paid poverty wages and struggle to live in our city." The average salary for SEIU Local 99 members is around $35,000, which is below the poverty level for a family of four.

In case of a strike, LAUSD has prepared resources for families. The district will post instructional materials online for students, ensuring continuity in education with lesson plans covering various subjects. Online tutoring options will also be available through services like Tutor.com and the LA Public Library. For many students, school meals are a primary source of nutrition. LAUSD serves approximately 530,000 meals daily, and in the event of a strike, food distribution sites will be open from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. to provide grab-and-go meals.

Child supervision services for ages 5 to 17 will be offered at select locations, but the district has made it clear that children with moderate to severe disabilities and those under 4 cannot be accommodated. This has raised additional concerns among families, particularly those with special needs children. Ariel Harman-Holmes, a disability rights attorney and mother of three children with autism, shared her worries about the chaos a strike could bring. "A strike can be very chaotic and very overwhelming, especially for special-needs kids who depend upon consistency and routine," she said.

As negotiations continued into the night on April 13, LAUSD officials expressed their hope to reach an agreement that would allow schools to remain open. "We will continue to meet with SEIU Local 99 with the intent to reach an agreement that would allow us to keep schools open on Tuesday, April 14," the district stated. Families were promised updates by 6 a.m. on the morning of April 14.

Community support for the unions has been strong. On April 13, students rallied outside the LAUSD headquarters to show solidarity with their teachers and support staff. Jaime Alvarez, an 11th grader, voiced his concerns over school funding. "The district is spending money in the wrong places, including AI," he said, advocating for higher salaries for teachers and improved programs for students.

The situation has sparked a broader conversation about the value of support staff in schools. Daniel Sierra, a senior at the Edward R. Roybal Learning Center, emphasized the importance of all school workers, stating, "It takes more than teachers to shape a student's education. Counselors, nurses, bus drivers, cafeteria workers — these are the people who make our schools run."

As the negotiations continue, the stakes are high. If SEIU Local 99 does not reach an agreement by the deadline, all three unions will strike, potentially affecting around 400,000 students across LAUSD's 1,302 campuses. This would mark a historic simultaneous walkout, raising concerns about the impact on education and support services for students.

In light of the impending strike, the California Legislature has expressed support for SEIU Local 99, urging the district to meet the workers' demands. A letter from the legislature emphasized the importance of these workers, stating, "They are the workers that support students and families before, during, and after school, and make it possible for teachers and administrators to safely and successfully do their jobs."

The situation remains fluid, with families and students anxiously awaiting news on whether their schools will remain open. As the negotiations continue, the hope is that an agreement can be reached that respects the needs of all workers and ensures the continued education of LAUSD's students.