Oakland’s teachers union voted to authorize a strike Friday, threatening to walk off the job if the district doesn’t offer a contract with higher wages and address rising school fees.
The Oakland Education Association reported that while more than 60% of its members cannot afford a one-bedroom apartment, the school district failed to provide adequate compensation during negotiations last year. The union stated that better salaries will help reverse the trend of 400 teachers leaving each year.
“Currently, OUSD teachers are underpaid in the district, and as a result, the District is losing about 400 hard-working, dedicated teachers per year, costing the district $7.5 million annually,” said President Kampala Taiz-Rancifer in a news release. “This is a waste of resources, destabilizes classrooms, and hurts our most vulnerable students. Oakland educators have been fighting for the schools our students deserve for a long time—and we’re determined to keep our schools safe.”
The Oakland Unified School District employs about 3,000 teachers to serve its 34,000 students. This year, the district saw its first enrollment increase in eight years.
However, the region, after decades of financial problems, is facing a huge deficit.
Late last year, the district announced the need to cut $100 million from its budget. Since then, it has made significant progress in cutting its deficit in half, but further job cuts will need to be made.
The district and the union have been arguing over whether the proposed wage increase would benefit the community, leading to the need for mediation.
Prior to the release of the independent research report, the teachers’ union wanted a 13.5% to 14% salary increase over the next two years. It has revised its request for a salary increase to 12%-14%.
The district has indicated that it will not be able to meet the wage demands while meeting its 3% reserve requirements. It warned that if the union’s wage proposal is accepted, it could return the district to receivership.
After not raising wages, the latest district proposal includes increases of 6.5%-8%.
“This Consolidated Proposal has been submitted in good faith as part of a legal fact-finding process under the Education Employment Relations Act. It reflects the District’s effort to reach a fair, sustainable, and legally binding agreement that balances employee compensation, student needs, and long-term financial stability,” the district wrote in its latest proposal. “The District recognizes and values the important contributions its teachers make to the academic success, safety, and well-being of students. At the same time, the District faces ongoing budget challenges, declining enrollment, and uncertain state funding.”
A report from the fact-finding panel recommended between 9-10% increase.
The union said 95% of its voting members approved the strike on Friday.
