This week marked one year of bargaining with LAUSD for a fair contract that meets the needs of educators, students, and our school communities. 

We have moved into the fact-finding stage after no agreement was reached in mediation. A panel is scheduled to hear from both sides on March 9 and 11 then issue a non-binding report within 30 days. The district can choose to work out a fair settlement at any time during this process and avoid a strike.

With the billions in reserves, billions committed to outside contractors, and additional funding for education projected from the state, they have the money to deliver on our core issues.

This week, Carvalho fast-tracked a school board vote with little time for public input or clarity on a possible Reduction in Force (RIF) that could impact around 3,000 positions. The vote passed 4-3 with Board Members Rivas, Gonez, and Griego voting no. While none of the positions are in the UTLA bargaining unit, hundreds of SEIU 99, CSEA, and AALA positions were voted on for possible RIFs.

The RIF vote is a blatant tactic to instill fear in our union siblings, especially as SEIU 99 is fighting for a fair contract with livable wages. It also serves to distract from the $6.7 billion committed to private multi-year contracts — including $1.6 billion to outside tech companies — since Carvalho started as superintendent in 2022. Money committed to private contracts jumped 84% in 2022 and continued in 2023 and 2024.

“We will not let Carvalho and the district divide and weaken us with their fearmongering,” says Guenevere Alapag Spiller, Monte Vista Elementary fourth-grade teacher and UTLA bargaining team member. “We have the power to force them to prioritize investment in educators, staff, and students — not outside contractors, not more Ed Tech, not hoarding billions in reserves away from our schools.”

On March 18 we will show our strength and unity in the streets of LA. The size of our crowd will determine how forcefully our message is sent to Carvalho: If he wants to avoid a strike, he better settle a fair contract that meets our demands. Sign up for the March 18 Rally with your chapter leaders.

Join the Art Build March 7 & 8 to paint banners, signs, and more visual materials with local LA artists that amplify our collective message.