In a critical development for Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), agreements have been reached with two unions, United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) and the Associated Administrators of Los Angeles, as of April 14, 2026. However, negotiations with Service Employees International Union Local 99 (SEIU Local 99) are still ongoing, raising the specter of a strike that could affect nearly 400,000 students.

The UTLA agreement includes an 11.65% salary increase and sets the beginning teacher’s salary at $77,000. “The district CAN afford these changes,” stated Julie Van Winkle, emphasizing the need for better compensation for educators. This agreement follows months of negotiations after the unions’ contracts expired in June 2025.

SEIU Local 99, representing over 30,000 cafeteria workers, bus drivers, and special education assistants, has yet to finalize its agreement. If negotiations fail, a strike could disrupt services for the students who rely on LAUSD for education, meals, and child care.

LAUSD is facing a projected $191 million deficit for the 2027-28 school year, complicating negotiations. Unions have pointed out that the district has $5 billion in reserves, arguing that the current offers do not meet the needs of their members. “LAUSD’s offer is still NOT ENOUGH. Local 99 members are struggling to make ends meet,” a representative from Local 99 stated.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding the exact terms of the contracts, which must be ratified by union members and the district board to take effect. Observers are closely watching the situation as the deadline for SEIU Local 99’s agreement approaches.

As the negotiations continue, the urgency for a resolution grows. The potential impact of a strike on the educational landscape in Los Angeles could be profound, affecting not only the students but also the broader community.