LAUSD unions announce massive April 14 strike

Teachers, counselors, nurses, bus drivers, janitors and cafeteria workers to walk out if no deal reached

Mar. 19, 2026 at 1:11am

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Los Angeles Unified's two largest labor groups - the teachers union and service employees - announced they will join forces and both go on strike on April 14 if no contract deal is reached before then. The strike would effectively shut down schools in the nation's second-largest school system, affecting close to 400,000 students.

Why it matters

The strike would come at a particularly difficult time for the district, with the superintendent on paid administrative leave following an FBI raid and hundreds of layoffs anticipated amid budget troubles. The walkout would cripple school operations and disrupt education for hundreds of thousands of students.

The details

The strike would mean more than 60,000 essential district workers - teachers, counselors, nurses, bus drivers, janitors and cafeteria workers - would walk off the job. UTLA members are working under a contract that expired last June, while Local 99 members have been working under terms of an expired contract since June 2024. The unions are seeking significant pay increases, with UTLA proposing an average 17% raise over two years and a $80,000 starting salary for early-career teachers.

  • The strike is planned for April 14, 2026.
  • UTLA members' contract expired in June 2025.
  • Local 99 members have been working under an expired contract since June 2024.

The players

United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA)

The teachers union representing more than 30,000 classroom teachers, psychologists, counselors, nurses and librarians in the LAUSD.

Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 99

The union representing more than 30,000 LAUSD employees including teacher aides, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, custodians and gardeners.

Alberto Carvalho

The LAUSD superintendent who is currently on paid administrative leave following an FBI raid on his home and office.

Cecily Myart-Cruz

The president of United Teachers Los Angeles.

Max Arias

The executive director of SEIU Local 99.

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What they’re saying

“The message to the public is, stand with educators. Stand with teachers. Stand with support professionals. Because one job should be enough, one job should be enough, and we need to get away from the victim shaming of educators.”

— Cecily Myart-Cruz, President, United Teachers Los Angeles

“You cannot have good schools if the people doing the work are worried about whether they're going to have a place to sleep or whether they're going to have something to eat. You can't continue to have good schools if you don't have enough people to keep the schools clean.”

— Max Arias, Executive Director, SEIU Local 99

What’s next

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The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.