LAUSD Continues Contract Talks with SEIU After Reaching Deals with Other Unions

Union representing 30,000 aides, bus drivers, custodians and cafeteria workers seeks pay increases and more hours for part-time workers

Apr. 14, 2026 at 12:25am

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A high-contrast silkscreen print of a school lunch tray repeated in a grid, rendered in bold, neon colors and heavy black outlines, conceptually representing the essential role of cafeteria workers in the school system.The ongoing contract negotiations between LAUSD and the union representing essential school support staff underscore the challenges of reaching equitable agreements that address the needs of all workers.Los Angeles Today

The Los Angeles Unified School District is continuing contract negotiations with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) after reaching tentative deals with the teachers' and administrators' unions. SEIU represents about 30,000 aides, bus drivers, custodians and cafeteria workers and is seeking pay increases and more hours for part-time workers to qualify for health benefits.

Why it matters

The ongoing contract negotiations with SEIU could lead to a strike on Tuesday, April 14, as the union has pledged to walk out in solidarity with the other unions if an agreement is not reached. The outcome of these negotiations will impact thousands of essential school support staff and the ability of LAUSD to operate smoothly.

The details

LAUSD reached tentative deals with the United Teachers of Los Angeles (UTLA) and the Associated Administrators of Los Angeles on Sunday, which would raise salaries by 11.65% over two years. However, the SEIU negotiations are still ongoing, with the union's negotiation team arguing for pay increases and more hours for part-time workers to qualify for health benefits. SEIU member Santos Robles stated that some workers only have 2-hour shifts, making it impossible to make a living.

  • The LAUSD reached tentative deals with UTLA and the Associated Administrators of Los Angeles on Sunday, April 13, 2026.
  • SEIU has pledged to strike in solidarity with the other unions on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, if an agreement is not reached.

The players

Service Employees International Union (SEIU)

A labor union that represents approximately 30,000 aides, bus drivers, custodians and cafeteria workers in the Los Angeles Unified School District.

United Teachers of Los Angeles (UTLA)

The teachers' union that reached a tentative deal with LAUSD on Sunday, which would raise salaries by 11.65% over two years.

Associated Administrators of Los Angeles

The union representing school administrators that also reached a tentative deal with LAUSD on Sunday, which would increase salaries by 11.65% over two years.

Santos Robles

A member of SEIU's negotiation team, who stated that some workers only have 2-hour shifts, making it impossible to make a living.

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What they’re saying

“We have members that work two hours. You can't make a living there.”

— Santos Robles, SEIU Negotiation Team Member

“We will strike on Tuesday in solidarity with those unions if an agreement isn't reached.”

— UTLA

What’s next

The UTLA membership and the school board must still vote on the tentative deal with LAUSD. If an agreement is not reached with SEIU, the union has pledged to strike on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in solidarity with the other unions.

The takeaway

The ongoing contract negotiations between LAUSD and SEIU, the union representing essential school support staff, highlight the challenges of reaching equitable agreements that address the needs of all workers. The potential for a strike by SEIU in solidarity with other unions underscores the importance of these negotiations for the smooth operation of the school district.