On January 31, 2024, members of the United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) voted overwhelmingly, with 94% in favor, to authorize a strike. This decision follows months of stalled contract negotiations between the union and the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). The union’s demands include higher salaries, smaller class sizes, increased support for immigrant students, additional counselors, funding for classroom supplies, and the use of vacant LAUSD-owned land for affordable housing.
A key point of contention in the negotiations is teacher compensation. Currently, new teachers in Los Angeles earn a starting salary of $68,896 annually, with potential earnings exceeding $100,000 after ten years of service. However, the total compensation package, which includes substantial health care and pension benefits, raises the average annual earnings for teachers in the district to approximately $102,000, according to data from Transparent California. This figure is further supplemented by benefits worth around $35,652.
Despite these figures, concerns remain about educational outcomes in the district. The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results from 2024 indicate troubling trends, with only 22% of eighth graders achieving proficiency in reading, and merely 18% in math. Additionally, the district has seen a significant decline in student enrollment, dropping from 746,831 in 2002 to 391,588 for the 2024-2025 school year. Nearly half of the district’s elementary schools are operating at less than half capacity.
Amid these challenges, UTLA is also broadening its focus to include social justice issues. The union is advocating for investments in recruiting and retaining Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) teachers, as well as multilingual and immigrant educators. Their proposals emphasize support for the Black Student Achievement Plan and the expansion of Ethnic Studies within the curriculum. Furthermore, UTLA is pushing for strengthened policies to protect LGBTQIA+ students, educators, and staff.
The union’s political stance has sparked controversy, particularly regarding its positions on international issues. In October 2024, UTLA passed a resolution urging the United States to cease arms sales to Israel. This stance has led to tensions between the union and various Jewish organizations, as well as some members within the teaching community. In December 2025, UTLA reaffirmed this position by deciding not to endorse any congressional candidate who supported arms transfers to Israel, citing a commitment to oppose what they describe as “genocide.”
In light of the ongoing disputes, UTLA President Cecily Myart-Cruz has been vocal about the union’s agenda. When discussing the learning losses attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, she controversially stated, “There is no such thing as learning loss. Our kids didn’t lose anything.” Her comments reflect a broader narrative within the union, which some critics argue overlooks the real educational challenges facing students.
As the situation unfolds, the potential for a strike raises important questions about the future of education in Los Angeles. The tensions between financial demands, educational outcomes, and social justice initiatives continue to shape the dialogue between UTLA and LAUSD. With negotiations stalled, the union’s recent vote to authorize a strike underscores the urgency of addressing these multifaceted issues.