LAUSD Veteran Leads Principals Union

Max Arias stands out among union leaders in new contract negotiations.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 11:17am

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A high-contrast silkscreen print featuring a grid of brightly colored school supply icons, conceptually representing the dynamic labor negotiations between LAUSD unions.The vibrant energy of LAUSD's labor negotiations is captured in a bold, pop art-inspired illustration of common school supplies.Los Angeles Today

When the heads of three Los Angeles Unified School District unions stood together to announce new contracts after nearly striking, one leader stood out from the rest - Max Arias, the veteran head of the principals union. While the other union leaders dressed casually, Arias was formally attired, highlighting his different approach and background compared to the teachers' and service workers' unions.

Why it matters

The LAUSD labor negotiations were a high-stakes situation that could have led to a major disruption in the city's public schools. Arias' presence and leadership of the principals' union provided a counterpoint to the more confrontational stances of the other unions, potentially helping to broker a compromise agreement.

The details

Max Arias has worked for the Los Angeles Unified School District for decades and now leads the Associated Administrators of Los Angeles, the union representing the district's principals and other administrators. While the teachers' and service workers' unions took more militant stances in the contract talks, Arias adopted a more measured approach, emphasizing collaboration over confrontation.

  • The union leaders announced the new contracts at a press conference at City Hall.
  • The contracts were reached just hours before the unions were set to go on strike.

The players

Max Arias

A veteran LAUSD employee who leads the Associated Administrators of Los Angeles, the union representing the district's principals and other administrators.

Cecily Myart-Cruz

The president of United Teachers Los Angeles, the union representing LAUSD teachers.

SEIU Local 99

The union representing LAUSD service employees such as custodians and cafeteria workers.

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What they’re saying

“Solidarity LA.”

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

The takeaway

Arias' measured approach as the principals' union leader provided a counterbalance to the more confrontational stances of the teachers' and service workers' unions, helping to facilitate a compromise agreement and avoid a potentially disruptive strike in the LAUSD system.