LAUSD to Alert Families Early Tuesday on School Openings Ahead of Possible Strike

District reaches tentative deals with some unions but continues talks with SEIU Local 99 representing 30,000 workers.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 6:54am

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A high-contrast, silkscreen-style illustration of a yellow school bus icon repeated in a grid pattern, rendered in a bold, neon color palette that captures the energy and tension of a potential labor dispute.A vibrant pop art interpretation of the iconic yellow school bus, symbolizing the potential disruption to student transportation if LAUSD workers strike.Los Angeles Today

As negotiations continue between the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and a union representing 30,000 bus drivers, custodians and cafeteria workers, the district said it will notify families by 6 a.m. Tuesday whether schools will open or close due to a potential strike. LAUSD has reached tentative agreements with two other unions but remains in talks with SEIU Local 99, which is seeking better wages and working conditions for its members.

Why it matters

A strike by SEIU Local 99 workers could disrupt operations at LAUSD's 1,302 campuses and impact hundreds of thousands of students and families. The district is preparing contingency plans to provide food distribution, alternative care options, and tech support if a strike occurs.

The details

Negotiations between LAUSD and SEIU Local 99 will continue through the night on Monday. The union is seeking better wages, guaranteed increased work hours, and adequate staffing for its members. If a deal is not reached, SEIU Local 99 plans to strike, and the United Teachers LA (UTLA) and the Associated Administrators Los Angeles (AALA)/Teamsters 2010 have said they will join in solidarity, disrupting the entire district.

  • LAUSD will notify families by 6 a.m. Tuesday (April 16, 2026) whether schools will open or close due to a potential strike.
  • Negotiations between LAUSD and SEIU Local 99 will continue through the night on Monday (April 15, 2026).

The players

Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD)

The second-largest school district in the United States, serving over 600,000 students across 1,302 campuses in the Los Angeles area.

SEIU Local 99

A union representing 30,000 LAUSD bus drivers, custodians, and cafeteria workers who are currently in negotiations with the district for better wages and working conditions.

United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA)

The teachers' union that has said it will strike in solidarity with SEIU Local 99 if a deal is not reached.

Associated Administrators Los Angeles (AALA)/Teamsters 2010

The union representing school administrators that has also said it will strike in solidarity with SEIU Local 99 if a deal is not reached.

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What’s next

If negotiations with SEIU Local 99 fail, a strike could disrupt LAUSD's 1,302 campuses, impacting hundreds of thousands of students and families. The district has said it will provide resources like food distribution sites, alternative care options, and tech support for families affected by a potential strike.

The takeaway

This labor dispute highlights the ongoing challenges facing large urban school districts like LAUSD, as they navigate complex negotiations with multiple unions representing different groups of workers. The potential for a widespread strike underscores the importance of finding equitable solutions that address the needs of both the district and its essential employees.