LAUSD schools may close as strike threatens 85% of district workers
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Schools in Los Angeles may close next week as about 85% of workers in the district plan to strike to demand higher wages, as the district reportedly has $5 billion in reserves.
“During spring break, the district met with United Teachers of Los Angeles (UTLA), Associated Administrators of Los Angeles (AALA), and Trades labor partners to successfully reach an agreement with Trades,” a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) said in a statement to Fox News Digital on Friday. he said.
“The district has made a concerted effort to respond responsibly to proposals from its labor partners, and its offers are among the most generous in the state.”
However, it is clear that the three unions, which are preparing to go on strike on Tuesday, are not satisfied with the offers.
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Schools in Los Angeles are expected to close next week as about 85% of workers in the area plan to strike. (iStock)
LAUSD, which includes hundreds of K-12 schools and more than half a million students, has until Tuesday to reach an agreement. Otherwise, the strike will continue. According to a local Fox affiliateDistrict officials launched a website Friday to assist families with food distribution and mental health services in case of school closures.
“We don’t want to strike,” Charmell Lee, a special education assistant and member of Local 99 of the Service Employees International Union, told the Los Angeles Times on Thursday. “But if that’s what it takes to make sure our families can survive and our students have all the support they need inside and outside the classroom, we’ll do it.”
“District officials said there was no doubt that schools would be closed if any two of the three unions left.” LA Times reported.
Frustrated union members believe the district holds billions of dollars in reserves.
“With over $5 BILLION in reserves, we know LAUSD can provide a fair contract to absolutely all of its employees,” said UTLA’s new Vice President, Jessica Rodarte.
A district spokesperson told Fox News Digital that “all available reserve dollars are currently allocated for ongoing expenses.”
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“Current estimates indicate that the closing balance of this year in June 2026 will be $3.8 billion, and this includes funds that are restricted by law and must be used for specific purposes,” a district spokesperson said.
The San Francisco Unified School District was shut down earlier this year after teachers went on strike for the first time in decades. (Bronte Wittpenn/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)
The spokesperson added: “Los Angeles Unified is deficit spending, which means we are spending more money than we are bringing in. At the current spending rate, we will have exhausted all remaining unrestricted reserves within two years.”
The Times noted that three unions with different priorities and separate contracts represent about 70,000 of the 83,000 workers in positions ranging from food workers to managers.
“The district continues to meet with labor partners this week and will remain available to meet until agreement is reached with all groups. Families and staff are encouraged to visit the district’s labor updates webpage for the latest updates,” a district spokesperson told Fox News Digital.
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Neither union responded to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Threat of strike emerged in the region $191 million deficit and declining enrollment, which prompted LAUSD officials to warn of layoffs and staff reductions.
Budget troubles come as the Trump administration is in a difficult situation Threats to California education funding Regarding matters related to parental notification policies intended to disclose a student’s gender identity and transgender athlete policies.
Recently, LAUSD was under federal scrutiny for a policy that allowed staff to hide students’ gender identity from parents.
President Donald Trump (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
“The district is committed to reaching agreements that support employees while also protecting the district’s long-term financial stability,” a district spokesperson said.
“Avoiding a strike will require all parties to continue good faith negotiations and work toward a fair and sustainable solution. To date, the district has reached agreements with five of its eight labor partners and is prepared to work around the clock to reach an agreement with teachers, administrators and service employees.”
Teachers and San Francisco school district staff went on strike in February for the first time in nearly 50 years, demanding better pay and health benefits.
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