LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles school officials announced on Sunday morning that a tentative agreement has been reached with the teachers union, making it possible that a planned Tuesday strike could be averted.

The tentative two-year agreement with the United Teachers Los Angeles would increase "salary scales by 11.65%" and raise the beginning teacher salary from about $68,000 to $77,000 per year.

"We will continue to meet with our remaining labor partners throughout the weekend with the intent to reach additional agreements that would allow us to keep schools open on Tuesday, April 14," the district announcement stated.

The brief district alert also noted: "Additional details on the 2025-2027 Collective Bargaining Agreement between Los Angeles Unified and UTLA will be provided as they become available."

Julie Van Winkle, UTLA vice president, said the tentative agreement "directly tackles the challenges our schools have faced for years and delivers a historic win for those who make public education possible."

"The truth has always been clear — the district CAN afford these changes. With this agreement, resources will begin to be redirected away from unnecessary spending and toward the students and classrooms that need them most," she said. "This contract fight has never been about prolonging conflict. It has always been about securing the respect and investments that educators and students deserve. This TA is a powerful step forward and a momentous win for the Los Angeles school community."

To avert a strike, agreements also must be reached with Local 99 of Service Employees International Union and Associated Administrators of Los Angeles.

Talks between UTLA and L.A. Unified unfolded Saturday. District negotiators were armed with the latest instructions and improved offers that emerged after a lengthy closed session of the school board on Friday.

Meetings with Local 99 were set for Sunday. AALA leaders also were expecting to see an updated offer. The three unions negotiating over the weekend cover about 70,000 of the district's 83,300 employees and nearly all the campus workers.

In a historic move, all three unions had joined together and threatened to walk out if agreements could not be reached — shutting down all schools operated by the nation's second-largest school system, with about 390,000 students.

The contract for each union is separate. It's not yet clear what will happen if one or two unions were to settle. But given union statements of solidarity, it seems likely the three would honor one another's picket lines.

Concurrent with negotiations, strike preparations have been at full steam.

The school district released details of plans to assist students and families during a walkout. And unions have been printing and distributing signs, and organizing pickets and mega-rallies. Local 99 was arranging food distribution for its members — whose average pay is about $35,000 per year, according to the union.

United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) represents about 37,000 teachers, nurses, counselors, psychologists and librarians.

Local 99 of Service Employees International Union represents about 30,000 teacher aides, campus aides, gardeners, custodians, bus drivers, cafeteria workers and tech support staff.

Associated Administrators of Los Angeles (AALA) represents about 3,000 principals and assistant principals — all of whom have a teaching credential — in one unit and, in a separate unit, various middle managers who don't have a teaching credential.

Five unions — including school clerical workers, plant and cafeteria managers, building trades and school police — settled their contracts previously. It's not clear whether their members would also honor picket lines.

Update on the teachers

UTLA has a large-group negotiating model involving about 150 participants. The district sends about 10 people, who also have the role of negotiating with the other unions. The meetings typically take place in a bland but functional meeting room at the union headquarters building in Koreatown.

The tentative agreement appears to show that both sides met in the middle over pay, but also shortened the length of the contract from the typical three years to two years.

In a recently released district proposal, L.A. Unified had offered a one-time bonus of 3% for the current school year, then a permanent hike of 4% on July 1, 4% more on Jan. 1, 2027, and 2% more on Jan. 1, 2028. Any delay in the raises saves money for L.A. Unified.

The union had pushed for a different approach. It wanted steep increases to the automatic raises teachers already receive based on years of experience and additional education credits. The union also wants to push the annual salary of a starting teacher from $68,695 to $77,670, a 13% jump — a demand that appears to have been met.

UTLA has said the raises are needed to offset the impact of inflation in an already high-cost region.

Local 99 update

The two sides met Thursday and were also scheduled to meet Sunday.

"LAUSD's offer is still NOT ENOUGH," a union update said last week. "Local 99 members are struggling to make ends meet. After two years at the bargaining table, the District is still coming up short."

Details about proposals are harder to come by than with UTLA — which tends to post on significant developments.

Members of Local 99 of Service Employees International Union have been working under terms of an expired contract since June 30, 2024, and include some of the district's lowest-paid workers.

In its posted materials, the district describes its offer as 13% over three years. The union wants more, with the terms varying depending on the job.

Local 99 is also seeking stable work schedules because many of its members have had their hours reduced due to budget cuts. In some cases, these workers fell below the threshold of hours needed to qualify for health benefits. The union says the average salary for its members is $35,000 per year.

Local 99 has announced it will coordinate distribution of food boxes for members in need. Food distribution will take place "after the strike rallies" at downtown's Molina Grand Park next Tuesday and Friday.

"Quantities are limited," the union noted. "We encourage you to register and come prepared — for example, bringing a cart to carry items."

Update on administrators

Negotiations continue.

In a recent update, AALA/Teamsters 2010 said it is seeking a 7% raise for the current school year and 6% for next year. The union described the district's offer as 4% and 4%.

"This does not meet the moment," the union said in an alert to members, "not with the rising cost of living, not with the increased workload, not when salaried administrators receive no overtime or additional compensation for extended days. We are close — but salary must reflect the value of our work."

Instructions for families

On Thursday, the district posted lists of food distribution sites and community-based "child supervision" sites that could take in a limited number of children.

Children with moderate to severe disabilities cannot be accommodated. Nor can children younger than 4.

©2026 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.