Los Angeles schools will remain closed Thursday due to teachers’ and school administrators’ days-long strike. This is in response to negotiations for better work conditions and pay.

Los Angeles Unified must officially announce that all schools in the District will close again tomorrow, Thursday March 23rd,” the school district stated in a statement on Wednesday night.

The statement also stated that “Families will continue being able to access resources for students at locations throughout the District, County, and City.”

This means that more than 500,000 students won’t be in schools on Thursday. It also indicates that negotiations between the city of London and educators are ongoing and no agreement has been reached to allow employees to return to work.

Service Employees International Union Local 99 and United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) organized public school educators. They pickedeted outside Los Angeles County schools, which is the second-largest school system in the United States.

“Thousands of SEIU Local 99 members and UTLA members pickedeted at almost 500 schools and work places from 4:30 AM to 10:00 AM. After the strike’s first day, SEIU released a statement saying that no amount of rain, intimidation or threats would stop them from showing up and being out.”

SEIU Local 99 members voted previously to approve a strike between Tuesday, March 21 and Thursday, March 23.

Max Arias, executive director of SEIU Local 99, had warned that the union was ready to strike the day before LAUSD broke the “confidentiality” of the mediation process.

“This afternoon, SEIU Local 99 agreed to participate in a confidential mediation with LAUSD to resolve our differences. LAUSD violated that confidentiality by sharing the information with the media, before our bargaining group, which makes all decisions and had an opportunity to discuss how to proceed. Arias stated Monday that this is another example of how the school district continues to disrespect school workers. “We are ready for strike.”

“We want it to be very clear that we aren’t in negotiations with LAUSD. Arias said that we remain engaged in the impasse with the state.”

LAUSD also released a statement Tuesday saying that it is doing everything possible to reach an accord.

“District officials met with Local 99 leaders of SEIU, assisted by [Los Angeles] Mayor Karen Bass. LAUSD stated that they are continuing to work hard to reach an agreement that recognizes the hardwork of our employees, corrects historical inequities and maintains financial stability for the District. It also brings back students to the classroom.

The statement said: “We are hopeful that these talks continue, and look forward to updating the school community on a solution.”

The mayor confirmed that negotiations are ongoing and stated she was “really hoping” to end the situation soon.

Bass spoke in an exclusive interview with FOX 11 Los Angeles.

Thursday is the third day that students will not be in class.