Education

Los Angeles schools strike last-minute deal, avoiding shutdown

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by Lexi Lonas Cochran - 04/14/26 9:56 AM ET

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by Lexi Lonas Cochran - 04/14/26 9:56 AM ET

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The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) struck a deal early Tuesday to avoid a walkout by three unions planned for the upcoming school day that would have affected over 1,000 schools and almost 400,000 students.

The second largest school district in the country reached an agreement in principle with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 99 on Tuesday. The two sides are still working to finalize the details of the tentative agreement, according to the school district.

“We are proud to have reached resolution with all of our Labor partners—UTLA, SEIU, and AALA Teamsters Local 2010—ensuring stability for our schools and continuity for the students and families we serve,” Acting Superintendent Andrés E. Chait said.

”Our commitments reflect the dedication of our entire workforce,” Chait continued. “We are grateful for the collaboration that made this possible and hopeful that this marks a new chapter of partnership.”

“At the same time, we are clear-eyed about the challenges ahead and know that meeting them will require continued trust, shared responsibility, and a united focus on what matters most—our students,” the superintendent added.

SEIU said members still need to vote but that the agreement gives a “24% wage increase that will make a significant difference in workers’ livelihoods.”

The tentative deal with the union, which represents around 30,000 employees, was the last one needed as all three local unions agreed to walk out on Tuesday if LAUSD did not reach a deal with all of them.

The Associated Administrators Los Angeles (AALA) union reached a deal on April 12, securing an 11.65 percent pay raise over the next two years.

The United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) union won a base salary of $77,000 for starting teachers and an average salary increase of almost 14 percent in the next two years on April 12.

“This moment did not happen by accident. It happened because 90% of you voted YES to authorize a strike. It happened because you trusted our union,” AALA President Maria Nichols said. “It happened because you stood firm, you stood together, and you refused to be overlooked.”

“Your courage at that vote changed the tone at the bargaining table. Your unity shifted the balance of power,” she continued. “Your perseverance made this moment possible.”

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