A strike authorization vote is how UTLA members give the UTLA Board of Directors the authority to call a strike in the future, if necessary. It means we are preparing ourselves by keeping all options on the table to win the contract we deserve.

Voting will be at school sites January 27, 28, and 29. Members can also vote at the UTLA building on the 10th floor from 9 am to 5 pm on January 27, 28, and 29.

Itinerant and substitute educators can vote at any school site using the non-roster ballot at that site. You can also vote at the UTLA Building on the 10th floor from 9 am to 5 pm on January 27, 28, and 29.

Virtual Academy educators can vote at their school site or the UTLA building on the 10th floor from 9 am to 5 pm on January 27, 28, and 29.

No. A “yes” vote simply authorizes the UTLA Board to call a strike if all legally required steps are exhausted and LAUSD still refuses to agree to a fair contract that meets the needs of educators and students.

There’s no set date. It will depend on: How long the legal process of mediation and fact finding take. Whether or not LAUSD negotiates fairly for a contract to avoid a strike.

A strong strike vote shows LAUSD that educators are united and ready to act. It increases our leverage at the bargaining table and can push the district to settle without a strike. Ultimately, it gives the UTLA Board the authorization to call a strike if LAUSD leaves no other option.

Fifty percent plus one of UTLA voters voting yes technically gives the UTLA Board of Directors the authority to call a strike. However, to send a clear message to the district and put ourselves in the strongest position to win the contract we deserve, we need much more than the minimum — we need an overwhelming majority.

A high-participation strike vote is about unity, leverage, and readiness. It is a demonstration of UTLA’s power and an opportunity for LAUSD to witness our strike-readiness and choose to settle a fair contract.

UTLA members have a choice. We can either increase the pressure on LAUSD to win what you deserve or we can settle for the 2.5% and 2% raises (with a 1% bonus) that LAUSD is offering. A “yes” vote is increasing pressure. A “no” vote means accepting just 2.5% and 2% raises over the next two years (with a 1% bonus). As 37,000 educators, we can win more if we stay united and vote yes.

The agreement maintains fully paid healthcare for employees, dependents, and retirees. The district agreed to fully fund heathcare coverage in 2026 and 2027. LAUSD’s original proposal was to freeze its contribution to healthcare and start passing costs on to employees. The agreement also constrains LAUSD to exploring plan options through the union-majority Health Benefits Committee, not through a contractual mandate. LAUSD wanted to impose a high-deductible option.

Yes, this agreement protects all employees and their healthcare regardless of their marital status. The district’s initial offer was to eliminate dual coverage — LAUSD wanted to take away coverage employees earn through their work.

The agreement protects the reserves by raising the amount from $100 million to $125 million in reserves to go toward unexpected costs.