LAUSD readies contingency plans ahead of proposed strike date

The Los Angeles Unified School District said Thursday that it is developing comprehensive contingency plans in the event there is a strike next week by three labor unions.

A mediation session was scheduled for Thursday between LAUSD representatives and a union representing thousands of non-teacher district employees. If SEIU Local 99 Education Workers United is unable to reach an agreement with the district, it is expected to strike Tuesday along with two other unions that are also seeking new contracts.

In a statement Thursday, the school district said it is focused on avoiding a strike, but preparing for the possibility of the first walkout since 2019. Preparations include plans around online learning, food distribution sites and more.

“In the event a strike takes place, the District has developed comprehensive contingency plans designed to ensure we are providing available support in a range of scenarios,” the LAUSD said. “These preparations include plans to support continuity of learning, including take-home instructional materials and access to online learning.

“We are also preparing to provide devices and options for home connectivity where needed, maintain food distribution sites for students and families, and identify child supervision locations. In addition, we are coordinating with partners across Los Angeles to ensure families have access to community-based resources and support services, including mental health resources to support student and family well-being during this time.”

The district sent a letter to families earlier this week, urging families to contact their schools if they do not have a district device at home.

Scroll for the full LAUSD statement.

Local 99, the union involved in Thursday’s mediation, represents district cafeteria workers, special education assistants, custodians and bus drivers. SEIU Local 99 Executive Director Max Arias said in a statement that a strike is a “last resort.” The union remains open to discussions with the LAUSD, Arias said.

Local 99 is also seeking more stable work schedules, and to prevent recently announced layoffs to some of its members. The LAUSD Board of Education had approved about 700 layoffs in a bid to address budget issues.

The district has offered a 13% salary increase over three years, but the union has demanded more.

The negotiations between LAUSD and Local 99 come one day after talks between representatives of the district and United Teachers Los Angeles, which represents the district’s teachers. No agreement was reached, so the teachers union and district are set to meet again Saturday.

The LAUSD and AALA/Teamsters 2010 Unit M met Monday, when the district presented a package with a 10% wage increase. The union represents principals and administrators with teaching credentials.

If the parties are unable to reach an agreement, the three unions are prepared to walk out as soon as Tuesday, they said. Even if two of the three unions reach an agreement, it would still disrupt LAUSD campuses.

Read the full updated LAUSD statement

The District is focused on preventing a strike while at the same time preparing in event one takes place. 

Negotiations are ongoing today, and the District remains committed to reaching an agreement that supports our employees while also protecting the long-term financial stability of the District. 

Avoiding a strike will require all parties to continue engaging in good-faith negotiations and working toward a solution that is fair and sustainable. We have reached agreement with five of our eight labor partners and are willing to work around the clock to come to agreement with our teachers, administrators, and service workers.

During spring break, we met with UTLA, AALA, and our Trades labor partners, and came to an agreement with Trades. The District has made extensive efforts to responsibly respond to our labor partners’ demands and our offers remain among the most generous in the State. 

The District has repeatedly offered to participate in an independent financial review by a jointly selected fiscal expert, providing a shared, objective understanding of available resources and long-term fiscal obligations. As part of its good faith efforts in negotiations, this offer reflects the District’s ongoing focus on transparency, accountability, and reaching a responsible agreement grounded in accurate financial data. UTLA has declined this offer.

We continue to meet with our labor partners this week and will remain available to meet until we reach agreements with all our labor partners.

For the latest status, visit our Labor updates webpage.

In the event a strike takes place, the District has developed comprehensive contingency plans designed to ensure we are providing available support in a range of scenarios.

These preparations include plans to support continuity of learning, including take-home instructional materials and access to online learning. We are also preparing to provide devices and options for home connectivity where needed, maintain food distribution sites for students and families, and identify child supervision locations. In addition, we are coordinating with partners across Los Angeles to ensure families have access to community-based resources and support services, including mental health resources to support student and family well-being during this time.