LOS ANGELES (CNS) – 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.
If the parties are unable to reach an agreement, three major unions representing teachers, non-teaching staff and administrators such as principals and assistant principals are prepared to walkout next Tuesday, they said.
Even if two of the three unions reach a compromise, it would still be impossible for the district to keep all campuses open, the Los Angeles Times reported.
United Teachers Los Angeles, the union representing LAUSD educators, canceled a news conference scheduled for Tuesday morning, explaining that the unions will meet with LAUSD representatives on Wednesday.
“Educators, school staff and administrators across Los Angeles are united and ready to act next week if necessary. With pressure escalating, our classrooms and students can’t wait any longer for the resources and support they deserve,” UTLA President Cecily Myart-Cruz said in a statement. “While the past district proposals have fallen short, the upcoming session provides an opportunity for meaningful solutions that respect educators, support student learning, and may avert a strike.”
An LAUSD spokesperson confirmed that negotiations are ongoing, and the district remains committed to reaching an agreement that supports employees while also protecting the long-term financial stability of the district.
LAUSD officials told The Times that they’re encouraging families to plan ahead in the event that negotiations fall through, noting that parents should ensure students have access to Schoology, the district’s online learning system. The district also told The Times that parents should prepare for alternative child-care and food options for weekday breakfasts and lunches.
The district has reached an agreement with five of its eight labor partners, and is willing to work around the clock to come to an agreement with teachers, administrators and service workers, according to the LAUSD spokesperson.
During spring break last week, the LAUSD met with UTLA and Associated Administrators of Los Angeles/Teamsters 2010, and was able to come to an agreement with the Los Angeles/Orange Counties Building and Construction Trades Council.
For the teachers, district officials offered a one-time bonus of 3% for the current school year, followed by a permanent salary increase of 4% starting July 1, a subsequent 4% increase beginning Jan. 1, 2027, and 2% more on Jan. 1, 2028, according to The Times. Delays in raises could save the district money.
UTLA is seeking a 13% increase of a starting teacher’s salary from $68,695 to $77,670. Additionally, the union is calling for significant increases to the automatic raises teachers receive based on experience and education credentials.
The LAUSD said it had proposed a combination of salary increases, caseload reductions and updates on prior proposals. On April 2, the LAUSD met with AALA/Teamsters Unit J and proposed a 10% wage increase over 3 years. District officials noted they met again with AALA on Monday.
“Our proposals to UTLA alone have an ongoing cost of $480M and reflect significant increases over prior proposals, demonstrating the district’s good faith efforts toward reaching agreements,” the LAUSD said in a statement.
Recently, UTLA and LAUSD concluded fact-finding, a process in which an independent three-person panel reviews finances and assists with negotiations. This step is also necessary for unions to continue with their strike.
The panel usually consists of three outsiders, but this time there was just one. LAUSD and the unions decided to choose their own lead negotiator for the panel, according to The Times.
All three unions say the district has the money to meet their demands, pointing to a $5 billion reserve and other factors. District officials contend there is ongoing deficit spending that will impact their budget for several years.
The fact finding concluded that the LAUSD made an offer they could afford. It also acknowledged that the district’s budget is complex and verifying financial information would take considerable time and effort.
Union representatives criticized the results of the fact-finding, arguing it required a deep dive to determine whether the LAUSD could meet their demands. The district said it has repeatedly offered to participate in an independent financial review, but UTLA has declined the offer.
The LAUSD is also in negotiations with SEIU Local 99 Education Workers United, a union representing more than 30,000 district employees such as teacher aides, bus drivers and other non-teacher positions. The district has offered a 13% salary increase over three years, but the union has demanded more.
Local 99 is seeking more stable work schedules, and to prevent recently announced layoffs to some of its members. The LAUSD’s Board of Education had approved about 700 layoffs in a bid to address budget issues.
Meanwhile, AALA/Teamsters 2010, representing principals and administrators with teaching credentials, is seeking a 7% salary increase for the current school year, followed by a 6% increase for the next school year, according to The Times.
The LAUSD has offered a 4% increase instead, followed by another 4% in 2027.
The groups are expected to meet later this week to negotiate.
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