The United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) announced over the weekend that its Members have overwhelmingly voted to approve a Strike Authorization after months of stalled bargaining. The 37,000-Member American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Affiliate has held meetings with the Los Angeles Unified School District more than a dozen times since negotiations began last February (2025). Despite reaching a tentative agreement on health care provisions, the Union has yet to receive a proposal from administrators that fairly addresses pay, classroom sizes, mental health resources and other priorities. UTLA President Cecily Myart-Cruz said: “For nearly a year, Educators have stood united around our contract demands because we know what our schools need. We are in classrooms every day and we know what it takes to truly serve our students and their families. (Saturday’s – January, 31st) results send a clear message: Teachers, Nurses, Counselors, Social Workers and Librarians are ready to do what is necessary to support our students and strengthen our schools.”

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