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Oakland Teachers Strike Continues on Monday

The Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) announced on Sunday night that it had not reached a contract agreement with the Oakland Education Association (OEA) and the teachers' strike would continue on Monday. This strike involves approximately 3,000 Teachers, Counselors, Psychologists, Social Workers, Speech Pathologists, Early Childhood Educators, Nurses, Adult Education Teachers, Librarians and Teacher Substitutes, affecting about 35,000 students across 80 schools in the district.

Teachers represented by OEA are striking for better wages and other issues such as safety and case loads for counselors. According to district officials, they are prioritizing wages to retain teachers. The district's latest proposal includes a retroactive 10 percent raise and a $5,000 one-time bonus, a minimum salary increase of at least 13 percent and as much as 22 percent for classroom teachers beginning next year.

However, teachers want concessions for safety issues such as gun violence, and building repair and safety. Additionally, teachers are asking for more preparation time in elementary schools and additional counselors in prioritized schools.

Teachers and their supporters picketed at schools across the district on Thursday and Friday even while negotiations were happening behind the scenes. As of this writing Sunday night OEA says they are still negotiating and willing to do so through the night.

While schools remain open, the district has stated that it will not be “school as usual” and that nutrition services and other needed support for students and families will be provided during the strike. The district regrets the continued challenges that the strike is causing for the community.


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