Negotiations between the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and several major labor unions are scheduled for this weekend as efforts intensify to prevent a strike that could disrupt all district schools starting Tuesday. The potential walkout involves three primary unions representing a substantial portion of the district’s workforce.

The district has already reached agreements with five smaller employee unions, but contracts covering approximately 70,000 workers remain unsettled. These three unions—the United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA), Local 99 of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), and the Associated Administrators of Los Angeles (AALA)—collectively represent nearly all campus employees, including teachers, aides, custodial staff, and school administrators.

UTLA, which includes about 37,000 educators and support professionals such as nurses, counselors, psychologists, and librarians, is one of the largest unions involved. Local 99 represents roughly 30,000 individuals in roles including teacher and campus aides, gardeners, custodians, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, and technical support staff. AALA represents approximately 3,000 principals, assistant principals, and middle managers, who are separated into two bargaining units based on whether they hold teaching credentials.

While each union negotiates separate contracts, union leaders have expressed solidarity and a joint willingness to honor each other’s picket lines, increasing the likelihood of a coordinated strike. Even some of the unions that have reached settlements, such as those representing clerical workers, plant and cafeteria managers, building trades, and school police, may join in honoring picket lines should a walkout occur.

The district has unveiled plans aimed at supporting students and families during a potential strike, although detailed logistics have not been publicly outlined. The disruption would affect all 1,000 schools operated by LAUSD, the second-largest school district in the United States, serving over 600,000 students.

Negotiations this week have involved a large delegation from UTLA, with about 150 members participating to represent various constituencies within the union. The district’s negotiating team, smaller by comparison, also manages discussions with the other unions. Talks have taken place primarily at the union’s headquarters in Koreatown, reflecting the increased urgency as the deadline approaches.

Despite incremental progress reported in recent updates, no agreement has yet been finalized, leaving the risk of a strike looming. Both district officials and union representatives continue to engage in talks over the weekend in hopes of reaching a resolution before the scheduled walkout.