The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has reached tentative labor agreements with two of its three major unions, significantly reducing the likelihood of a total system shutdown but leaving the fate of schools for Tuesday still uncertain. On Sunday, April 12, 2026, district officials announced deals with both the teachers’ union and the administrators’ union, moving the nation’s second-largest school system closer to averting a planned strike reported by the Los Angeles Times.
Despite these breakthroughs, a critical piece of the puzzle remains missing. LAUSD has not yet reached an agreement with Local 99 of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). If a deal is not finalized before Tuesday, the strike is expected to proceed, potentially closing campuses across the city via NBC Los Angeles. The situation is further complicated by the fact that the teachers and administrators who have already settled their contracts are expected to honor Local 99 picket lines by participating in sympathy strikes.
The tension comes after days of intense negotiations as the district sought to prevent the first major walkout since 2019. For parents and students, the mixed news provides a glimmer of hope but fails to offer a definitive guarantee that classrooms will remain open. The district has expressed its focus on avoiding a strike whereas simultaneously preparing for the possibility of disruption according to NBC Los Angeles.
Breakdown of the Tentative Agreements
The first major milestone occurred early Sunday morning when the district and the United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA), which represents more than 35,000 public school educators, reached a tentative two-year agreement. According to LAUSD, this deal increases salary scales by 11.65% and raises the starting salary for new teachers to $77,000 per year via NBC Los Angeles.
Shortly thereafter, the district announced a second agreement with the Associated Administrators of Los Angeles. This deal includes a pay increase of 11.65% over two years. The agreement similarly provides an opportunity to bargain for an additional raise in the third year of the three-year contract reported by the Los Angeles Times. The union representing administrators described these figures as 12.15% in compounded wage increases by January 2027 via the Los Angeles Times.
The Local 99 Standoff
While the teachers and administrators have found common ground, the Service Employees International Union Local 99 remains at the bargaining table. As of Sunday night, a mediation session concluded around 9:30 pm without a deal via the Los Angeles Times.
The stakes for the Local 99 negotiations are exceptionally high given that of the potential for a “domino effect.” Because UTLA and the administrators’ union have indicated they will support Local 99 through sympathy strikes, a failure to reach a deal with the third union could effectively trigger the same level of disruption as a full three-union strike. Which means that even though the teachers’ union has a tentative agreement, its members may still walk out in solidarity with the service workers via the Los Angeles Times.
Impact on Students and the Community
The threat of a Tuesday strike has left many Los Angeles families in a state of anxiety. Parents have expressed fear over the possibility of sudden school closures, which disrupt childcare and educational continuity. In response to the instability, the district has focused on preparing for the possibility of a walkout while continuing to push for a resolution via NBC Los Angeles.
The scale of the potential disruption is significant given that LAUSD is the second-largest school system in the United States. A strike involving teachers, administrators, and service workers would essentially paralyze the district’s ability to operate campuses safely and effectively. The support for the educators has been visible, with parents, students, and community members showing their backing for the teachers’ needs in the classroom via the Los Angeles Times.
What Happens Next?
The immediate focus now shifts to the remaining negotiations between LAUSD and Local 99. According to sources close to the process, the parties were scheduled to resume mediation on Monday afternoon, April 13, 2026 via the Los Angeles Times.
If an agreement is reached today, the threat of a Tuesday strike will be effectively neutralized. However, if the Monday afternoon session fails to produce a deal, the district faces a high probability of widespread closures and picket lines starting Tuesday. The outcome of these final hours of mediation will determine whether the school system remains operational or enters a period of significant labor unrest.
The next confirmed checkpoint is the continuation of mediation sessions on Monday afternoon, April 13, between the district and SEIU Local 99. We invite our readers to share their thoughts in the comments and share this update with those affected by the potential LAUSD closures.
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