LA School District Unions Secure $1.2B in Raises

New deals bring hefty pay increases but come at a steep cost for the district.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 4:59pm

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A vibrant, high-contrast silkscreen print featuring a repeated pattern of a single school supply item in a grid, rendered in a bold, pop art style with flat, neon colors and heavy black outlines.The hefty price tag of union contracts highlights the financial challenges facing public school districts.Los Angeles Today

Three major unions representing Los Angeles school district employees have secured lucrative new contracts that include significant pay raises, totaling nearly $1.2 billion annually. The deals have been celebrated as a new chapter in local education progress, but the substantial financial impact on the district's budget has raised concerns.

Why it matters

The union victories highlight the ongoing tension between providing fair compensation for teachers and staff while also maintaining fiscal responsibility for the school district. As budgets remain tight, the ability to fund these raises could impact other educational programs and resources.

The details

The new contracts include pay increases ranging from 10-15% for teachers, support staff, and administrators. Union leaders have touted the deals as a win for their members after years of stagnant wages, but the total annual cost of the raises is estimated at $1.2 billion for the cash-strapped school district.

  • The new union contracts were finalized in April 2026.

The players

Los Angeles School District

The public school system serving the city of Los Angeles, California.

United Teachers Los Angeles

The labor union representing teachers in the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Service Employees International Union Local 99

The union representing support staff such as custodians, cafeteria workers, and teacher's aides in the district.

Associated Administrators of Los Angeles

The union representing school administrators and principals in the Los Angeles Unified School District.

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What they’re saying

“This is a new chapter for our schools and our city. Our educators and staff deserve to be paid fairly for the critical work they do.”

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

“While we're pleased to see our members get the raises they've earned, we're concerned about the long-term impact on the district's budget and ability to fund other priorities.”

— Max Arias, Executive Director, SEIU Local 99

What’s next

The school district will need to carefully manage its budget to accommodate the increased personnel costs while maintaining educational programs and services.

The takeaway

The union victories highlight the challenge of balancing fair compensation for educators and staff with the fiscal realities facing many public school districts. As budgets remain tight, the ability to fund these raises could impact other crucial educational investments.