Negotiations between the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and several employee unions continued into a second day Thursday as the threat of a strike looms over the nation’s second-largest school district. Talks between district officials and union representatives lasted from early morning until late evening and are set to resume Saturday morning.

LAUSD recently proposed a compensation package that includes a one-time 3% bonus for the current school year, followed by phased permanent salary increases of 4% on July 1, 2026, another 4% on January 1, 2027, and an additional 2% on January 1, 2028. The district emphasized that any delay in implementing these raises would result in budget savings amid ongoing financial pressures.

The United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) union has pushed back against the district’s plan, advocating instead for substantial increases to automatic pay raises that teachers earn based on experience and educational credits. UTLA is also seeking to raise the starting teacher salary by nearly 13%, from $68,695 to $77,670 annually. The union characterizes its overall proposal as an average 17% salary increase to counteract inflation’s impact in the high-cost Los Angeles region. District officials expressed openness to the union’s preferred structure if it can be implemented sustainably within budget constraints.

Meanwhile, Local 99 of the Service Employees International Union, representing classified staff including many of the district’s lowest-paid workers, also remains at an impasse. Its members have been working without a contract since mid-2024. LAUSD offered an average 13% increase over three years, but Local 99 contends that the offer falls short given the financial struggles of its members, who earn an average of about $35,000 annually. The union is demanding improved wage terms and more stable work schedules after members have experienced reductions in hours leading to loss of benefits. Local 99 has announced plans to distribute food boxes at strike rallies scheduled for next week in downtown Los Angeles, aiming to assist members facing economic hardships.

Discussions with the Association of Administrators of Los Angeles (AALA) and Teamsters Local 2010 also persist. The administrators’ union is calling for a 7% raise this school year and 6% the next, while the district has offered two consecutive 4% increases. The union argues this offer does not adequately recognize rising living costs, increased workloads, or the lack of overtime compensation for salaried administrators working extended hours.

As negotiations unfold, parents and families within the LAUSD are still awaiting clear communication about contingency plans in the event of a strike. While some have received messages encouraging readiness with computers for remote learning, updates on child care and food assistance services only emerged later in the week. The district has identified select food distribution and supervised child care locations, though capacity is limited and cannot accommodate children under four years old or those with moderate to severe disabilities.

With weekend talks planned, all parties face mounting pressure to reach an agreement that averts disruption to the educational calendar and addresses the concerns of teachers, staff, and administrators alike.