LAUSD Unions Announce Strike Date of April 14 as Contract Negotiations Intensify
Teachers’ Unions Set for Strike Amid Ongoing Negotiations with LAUSD
LOS ANGELES — United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) has announced plans for a strike on April 14 if an agreement is not reached with the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). The announcement was made during a significant rally at Grand Park on Wednesday, featuring members from various unions including UTLA, Service Employees International Union Local 99, and the Associated Administrators of Los Angeles.
UTLA, representing approximately 30,000 educators, counselors, and librarians, is demanding a 17% salary increase over two years. This demand is based on rising living costs in Los Angeles. In contrast, LAUSD has proposed an 8% raise along with a one-time bonus of 3%. The union’s strike authorization followed a January vote in which 94% of its members expressed support for a walkout.
Union officials emphasized the economic challenges facing educators. "The union is calling for wage increases totaling roughly 17% over two years—saying teachers are not being paid enough to afford to live in Los Angeles," stated UTLA representatives.
In response, LAUSD issued a statement highlighting their ongoing commitment to negotiations. The district maintains that their current offer is competitive, claiming it is among the highest in the state. LAUSD also noted that over the past decade, its 36% pay increase has outpaced the average of California’s 20 largest school districts. Additionally, the district aims to reduce class sizes and counseling ratios while ensuring no further subcontracting of work traditionally performed by union staff.
As the clock ticks towards the April 14 deadline, both parties are expected to continue formal bargaining processes, including fact-finding and collaborative discussions. If the strike proceeds, it will mark the first significant teacher walkout in the district since a six-day strike in January 2019.
