Your weekly “wait, that’s happening?” digest
If you’re seeing headlines about a possible LAUSD / UTLA strike and thinking “wait… does this mean school is canceled??” — you’re not alone.
Here’s a clear, no-drama breakdown of what it means for your family.
First: Who is UTLA and what is a strike?
LAUSD = Los Angeles Unified School District (your kid’s school system)
UTLA = United Teachers Los Angeles (the teachers’ union)
When contract negotiations break down (usually over pay, class sizes, staffing, etc.), teachers can vote to strike, meaning they stop working to push for a deal.
So… will schools actually close?
Short answer: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
During a teacher strike:
Schools usually stay technically open
But they run on limited staffing (admins, substitutes, non-union staff)
Translation: It’s not a normal school day.
Most likely:
Large combined classes
Minimal instruction
More like supervision than teaching
In past LAUSD strikes, many parents chose to keep kids home, especially younger ones.
Is it “crossing the line” to send your kids?
This is where it gets a little socially loaded.
Teachers on strike are picketing outside schools
Crossing the picket line = entering school during the strike
But here’s the reality:
Parents are NOT part of the union.
You are not “breaking the strike” by sending your child.
That said:
Some families choose to stay home in solidarity
Others need childcare and send their kids
Both are completely valid decisions. You are not a villain. You are a parent trying to get through the week.
Do teachers get paid during a strike?
Nope.
Teachers DO NOT GET PAID while on strike
That’s part of the pressure on both sides
Some unions offer strike funds, but it’s usually partial support, not full salary.
Wait… does the district save money during a strike?
This is a question a lot of parents quietly ask.
Technically:
If teachers aren’t working, LAUSD isn’t paying full salaries for those days ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
BUT:
Districts often still incur costs (substitutes, operations, logistics)
And any eventual deal may include retroactive pay or increased budgets
Why do some teachers still go to work?
Even during a strike, not every teacher participates.
Reasons include:
Personal financial needs
Disagreement with the union strategy
Being newer / not fully union-aligned
Wanting to support students directly
These teachers are often called:
“Non-striking teachers” or sometimes “crossing the picket line”
It can be emotionally complicated within school communities.
What happened the last time LAUSD teachers struck?
2019 UTLA Strike (the big one)
Lasted 6 school days in January
~30,000 teachers walked out
Issues: class size, pay, support staff
What parents experienced:
Schools stayed open but were chaotic
Many families kept kids home
Rain + picket lines + lots of media coverage
Outcome:
Teachers won:
Smaller class size commitments
Salary increases
More nurses & counselors
2023 LAUSD Strike (different union, same disruption)
Led by SEIU Local 99 (support staff like bus drivers, aides)
UTLA teachers joined in solidarity
What happened:
Schools fully closed for 3 days
No instruction at all
Outcome:
Pay increases for support staff
Key takeaway: Not all strikes look the same. Some = open schools. Some = full closures.
What should you actually do as a parent?
Here’s your cheat sheet:
If a strike is announced:
Watch for emails from your principal (they’ll explain your school’s plan)
Expect last minute updates 🙃
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Decide what works for your family:
Keep kids home if:
They’re younger
You want to avoid disruption
Send them if:
You need childcare
Your school is functioning reasonably
Prep for chaos either way:
Backup childcare ideas
Playdates / parent swaps
Flexible work plans if possible
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
This is one of those “welcome to LA parenting” moments:
The system is complicated
The decisions are not always clear
And somehow… you’re expected to figure it out in real time
But you don’t need to have a perfect stance. You just need a plan for your week.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
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