LAUSD schools may close as strike threatens 85% of district workers
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Los Angeles schools could close next week as nearly 85% of district workers plan to strike, demanding higher wages, with the district reportedly holding $5 billion in reserves.
“During spring break, the district met with United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA), Associate Administrators of Los Angeles (AALA), and trades union partners, successfully reaching an agreement with the trades,” a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) told Fox News Digital on Friday.
“The District has made considerable efforts to respond responsibly to proposals from social partners, and its offers remain among the most generous in the state.”
But the three unions are clearly not happy with the proposals as they prepare to go on strike on Tuesday.
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Los Angeles schools are expected to close next week as nearly 85% of district workers 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, a strike will take place. According to a local Fox affiliate, district officials launched a website Friday to help families with food distributions and mental health services in case schools are closed.
“We don’t want to strike,” Charmell Lee, a special education assistant and member of the Service Employees International Union Local 99, told the Los Angeles Times on Thursday. “But we will do it if that’s what it takes to ensure our families can survive and our students have all the support they need, inside and outside of the classroom.”
“There is no doubt that schools will be closed if two of the three unions walk out, district officials confirmed,” the LA Times reported.
Frustrated unionists estimate the district holds billions in reserves.
“With over $5 BILLION in reserves, we know that LAUSD can absolutely provide all of its employees with a fair contract,” said new UTLA Vice President Jessica Rodarte.
A district spokesperson told Fox News Digital that “all available reserve dollars are currently allocated for current expenses.”
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“Current estimates place this year’s ending balance in June 2026 at $3.8 billion, and that 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. (Brontë Wittpenn/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)
The spokesperson added: “Los Angeles Unified is engaged in deficit spending, meaning we are spending more money than we bring in. At the current rate of spending, we will have exhausted all remaining unallocated reserves within two years.”
The three unions, which have different priorities and separate contracts, represent about 70,000 of the district’s 83,000 employees in a range of positions from food workers to school principals, the Times noted.
“The district continues to meet with social partners this week and remains available to meet until agreements are reached with all groups. For the latest updates, families and staff are encouraged to visit the district’s work updates webpage,” the district spokesperson told Fox News Digital.
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No union responded to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
The threat of a strike comes as the district faces a $191 million deficit and declining enrollment, prompting LAUSD officials to warn of layoffs and staff reductions.
The budget problems come as the Trump administration threatens education funding in California over issues related to parental notification policies that seek to disclose a student’s gender identity and policies related to transgender athletes.
Most recently, LAUSD came under federal scrutiny due to a policy allowing staff to hide students’ gender identities from parents.
President Donald Trump (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, file)
“The district remains committed to reaching agreements that support employees while protecting the long-term financial stability of the district,” the district spokesperson said.
“Avoiding a strike will require all parties to continue to engage in good faith negotiations and work towards a fair and lasting solution. To date, the district has reached agreements with five of its eight union partners and is prepared to work around the clock to reach agreements with teachers, administrators and service workers.
San Francisco school district teachers and staff went on strike in February for the first time in nearly 50 years, demanding better pay and benefits.
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