Big Pay Talk: LA Schools Near Deal, Strike Still on the Horizon

LA school leaders and teachers’ union have said they are close to a deal that could keep schools open next Tuesday. A two‑year contract has been tentatively agreed upon, promising a jump in salaries and more support staff. Teachers would earn $77, 000 as new teachers instead of about $69, 000, a rise close to 12 percent. The district also plans to add counselors, give four weeks of paid parental leave and cut class sizes for senior grades. The offer costs the district roughly $650 million a year, and it was built after a closed meeting of the school board. Even though this deal looks promising, teachers can still walk out if the agreement isn’t approved by members. The union says it will support any strike that other unions might start, because its own contract is still pending. Three major unions – the teachers’ group, a staff‑aid union and an administrators’ union – cover most of the 83, 000 district employees. All three have threatened a walkout that would shut down nearly 400, 000 students’ schools.If any union fails to reach a contract, the teachers could picket alongside them and keep schools closed. The new contract shortens the usual three‑year period to two years, so negotiations will begin again soon. Union leaders wanted stronger automatic raises for experience and education credits, which the district agreed to, though it worried about affordability. They also demanded higher starting pay and more positions for mental‑health staff, especially for students with special needs. While the teachers’ union looks hopeful, other unions say the district’s offers are still too low. Staff‑aid members earn an average of $35, 000 and need stable schedules and better pay. Administrators want raises that match their workload, with the current offer falling short of their expectations. The district has prepared plans to help students during a possible walkout, and unions are printing signs and organizing rallies. Food drives are planned for union members who may need extra help if a strike happens. Both sides say they want to avoid a shutdown, but the final vote could take up to two weeks.