Teachers receive large pay raise as LAUSD reaches tentative agreement to avert strike

LAUSD announced a tentative two-year agreement that raises salary scales by 11.65% and sets starting teacher pay at $77,000; the deal must be ratified and a strike remains possible while other unions continue bargaining.

The Los Angeles Unified School District announced a tentative two-year agreement with the teachers' union aimed at averting a planned strike. The agreement follows months of negotiations after the union's contract expired last June. Union leaders say the district can afford the changes, and district officials said they will continue talks with other labor partners over the weekend. Final approval requires additional steps before the agreement takes effect. Key points: - The agreement would raise "salary scales" by 11.65% and set starting pay for beginning teachers at $77,000 annually, according to the district announcement. - The union estimated the raise could amount to as much as $11,000 more for teachers with 15 to 30 years of experience. - UTLA shared details saying the tentative deal results in an average salary increase of 13.86% and includes other changes. - Additional benefits in the tentative agreement include four weeks of unpaid parental leave, expanded health care for substitute teachers, protections related to artificial intelligence, and stipends tied to special education class-size violations. - The agreement must be ratified by United Teachers Los Angeles members and by the district's board before it is finalized. - Service Employees International Union Local 99, which represents custodians, cafeteria workers and service staff, is still bargaining; the teachers' union has said it could strike in solidarity if no deal is reached. Summary: The tentative contract would raise pay and add several employment protections for teachers after prolonged talks, and officials say negotiations with other labor partners will continue. Ratification votes by the union membership and the district board are the next formal steps, and a possible solidarity strike remains undetermined at this time.