The 150-member UTLA Bargaining Team met with LAUSD in person today for the 14th bargaining session.   

Progress was made on improving educator working conditions.  

Today we reached tentative agreements on language providing clarity when educators have to quell a disturbance on campus, like breaking up a fight. For years, too many educators have been forced to choose between risking their careers or stepping in for student safety. New contract language clarifies reasonable intervention.   

We also reached tentative agreements on district protocols for emergency situations and traumatic events on campus, including improved communication requirements.   

But the gulf between educators and the district remains vast on key issues. LAUSD brought nothing new today on salary, staffing, class size, and more. Read the overview of movement in bargaining below.

The fact that the district refuses to make progress on these issues is not a budgetary issue  — it is a priorities issue.

In today’s session, we presented to the district “Funding Our Proposals,” a detailed powerpoint citing specific LAUSD buckets of funds that can be used to pay for our demands and different budget choices LAUSD could make to better prioritize students and staff.

Collective action is our lever to force LAUSD to spend that money on educators and students. Sign up now for the November 6 Regional Rallies. 

OVERVIEW OF BARGAINING

DISTRICT HAS NOT MOVED ON 

  • The salary schedule and pay increases 
  • Fully funded healthcare (bargained at a separate table) 
  • Lower class sizes in 11th and 12th grade and nonacademic classes 
  • Pay for class size violations 
  • Lower caseloads/more staffing for PSAs, PSWs, and school psychologists 
  • Spending the unspent $51 Million in Prop 28 money on more Arts Educators 
  • Prep time for elementary teachers 
  • Increased investment in Special Education (including inclusion supports, caseload caps, DIS coverage or paid time when out) 
  • More funding for Community Schools and BSAP 
  • Clean schools and fully stocked bathrooms 
  • Parental leave 
  • Protections for AI-related job loss and limits on subcontracting 
  • And other important issues 

SOME PROGRESS ON  

  • Improved ratios for high school counselors 
  • Stronger supports for immigrant students and staff 
  • For Adult Education, support for tenure positions and paid prep time within workday parameters 
  • For Substitute educators, pay for auxiliary assignments and more transparency in the Inadequate Service Report process  
  • Rejection of district’s proposed deadlines for member leader release time and other negative restrictions  

TENTATIVE AGREEMENTS REACHED SO FAR 

  • Article X Educator Development, Support and Evaluation  
    • Educators can request evaluation by an admininstrator who holds their same credential 
    • Allotted and protected absences cannot be noted on the final evaluation. 
  • Article XXIV Positive Student Behavior 
    • LAUSD required to take action when the code of conduct is violated consistent with policy. 
    • Communication in circumstances of a threat assessment  
    • Clarity on reasonable intervention by educators to break up a fight or other disturbance. 
    • Safety meeting and plan within three days of physical or psychological harm to an educator  
  • Article XXVIII Safety 
    • Faculty meeting within 48 hours of emergency or significant/traumatic event to provide updates and resources 
    • Chapter Chair and principal meet on program supports and resources 
    • LAUSD must make every reasonable effort to provide comprehensive mental health response. 
    • Districtwide safety committee to evaluate responses and recommend improvements. 
  • Increased support for LGBTQIA+ staff and students (MOU)