It is what it is.". With less than four weeks of school left, teachers will not go on another strike this academic year. Soumya. ". "The University hopes to resolve remaining contract issues as soon as possible and with minimal disruption to fall classes, which will not be canceled," the university wrote in an unsigned Thursday letter to the campus community. Oakland OU spokesman Brian Bierley said the pandemic has contributedto a $17 million shortfall for the school that had an enrollment of 18,500 students last year. I dont feel good about [the closure], she said. More than 3,000 teachers and other workers in the Oakland Unified School District went on strike Thursday, saying the district failed to bargain in good faith on a On Saturday, May 13, 2023, the Oakland Education Association said the Oakland Unified School District and striking teachers have reached agreement on four common good provisions that had been sticking points during the walkout that is in its second week. It was not immediately clear Sunday morning how close the two sides were were on reaching a deal on the demands still left on the table, particularly related to increased compensation. "I can understand why this is going on," she said. The proposed new contract also provides some unprecedented enhancements for the part-time faculty in the AAUP bargaining unit. The university is also proposingcuttingthe salaries of part-time lecturers who earn about $25,000 and teach about half of the classes at the school, Discenna said. OAKLAND -- Officials with the Oakland Unified School District announced early Thursday evening that the teachers' strike would continue Friday as negotiations remained at a stalemate. With just days left until the end of the school year, district officials were keeping schools open on a modified schedule. Friday's one-day walkout kept students from attending school. The district is the second-largest school district in the Bay Area, where rents and housing prices have skyrocketed in recent years. District officials say Oakland teachers' strike will extend into Tuesday, District Response to Day 3 of The Teachers' Strike, Public File for KBCW-TV / KBCW 44 Cable 12. After receiving the early morning announcement about the tentative deal, both of her kids decided to wait until Tuesday to return to their classrooms. "We continue this fight in the fall. We have a beautiful K-12 pipeline here [at La Escuelita]. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. There actually seems to be some regression," says Vilma Serrano, a co-chair of the OEA's bargain team, which is represents teachers. But few students were on campus Thursday morning. The teachers union has accused the district of refusing to bargain with OEA over the closures, and of violating a policy the school board adopted in 2019 requiring that OUSD give school communities at least nine months notice before shutting down a school. ", "It's very disappointing to me when it felt like we were having movement toward an agreement that this is where we find ourselves now.". Before joining The Oaklandside in 2020, Ashley was a reporter for the San Antonio Express-News and the San Francisco Chronicle as a Hearst Journalism Fellow, and has held positions at the Poynter Institute and the Palm Beach Post. Affordable housing: The city of Elk Grove will challenge a state lawsuit claiming that the city violated affordable housing law, The Sacramento Bee reports. District officials on Monday said they do not expect to extend the school year to make up for the days teachers were striking, and that most graduation ceremonies will proceed as planned. While there is a small salary increase on the table, it is offset by increases in employee health care costsand cuts toretirement benefits, he said. Oakland teachers union votes to authorize strike - ABC7 San District officials want to focus on pay and economic issues while the teachers want the negotiations to include social issues -- referred to as common good issues -- generally outside traditional contract talks. The Oaklandside relies on reader support to remain free for everyone in our community. "They already don't get paid enough," said LaToya Harrison. Meanwhile, rising inflation and a steep rise in the cost of rent in the fast-gentrifying city is making it impossible for educators especially new teachers at the bottom of the salary scale making $52,905 per year to afford rent.. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your support is powering our newsroom! Much of todays session has been focused on discussing the faculty tuition waiver. Oakland Unified also shared a brief, one-minute video clip of Superintendant Dr. Kyla Johnson-Trammell. The reason behind deadlock in Oakland teacher strike negotiations, Confusion at center of Oakland teachers strike as both sides refute claims. "Oakland values and appreciates its faculty and regrets any misinformation being disseminated that suggests otherwise," according to the university's Thursday afternoonstatement said. Other common-good demands include providing more mental health support, fixing deteriorating schools, and offering subsidized transportation for low-income students. Oakland number should be 248 students - not 2. OU professors went on strike in 2009, Bierley said, but the issues were resolved in one day. Update: Oakland Unified confirms teachers' strike is on for Thursday Oakland teachers union on strike; schools open anyway, Public File for KBCW-TV / KBCW 44 Cable 12. "We know that our working conditions are directly related to student's learning conditions," says Hilara Barajas, a teacher who is part of OEA's common good proposal team. Oakland teachers strike to continue Monday if no deal is Published 1:00 PM PDT, May 14, 2023. Oakland Todays tip comes from Mary Ann Mitchell, who lives in Folsom: One of my favorite things to do in spring is to take a drive in our Honda S2000. That offer was still on the table Wednesday night when OEA representatives decided to move forward with the strike, the district said. The strike is just the latest action against Oakland Unified School Districts plan to close and consolidate schools. Thats not a fluke, but is part of a trend that will allow a wider swath of the world to get a rare glimpse of the phenomenon for the next few years, scientists say. Instead, were severing the middle school to save some dollars, but at what expense?. But the districts 80 schools have remained open to the districts 34,000 students, with meals being offered and office staff educating and supervising. More than half the worlds population sees AP journalism every day. While he didn't characterize the proposal, he said both sides need to return to the bargaining table as quickly as possible. Faculty membersplanned to picketdailyuntil a contract is reached. This is one crucial step towards getting there.. If you're on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live, Obamas' family chef found dead in pond on Martha's Vineyard: police, Vallejo may declare state of emergency over lack of police officers, Livermore PD chief asks Alameda Co. DA for stricter sentencing. According to a post on the union's website, as of 5 p.m. Thursday: "The two sides continue to negotiate. The union claims, regarding community schools, an agreement on common good proposals is about accountability. "I would also like to reiterate our position on common good proposals," Hutchison said. Under the deal, a first-year teacher, who currently earns $52,905, would now start out at $62,696, and a top-tier educator could earn as much as nearly $110,000 in addition to full paid benefits and district pension contributions. OU calledits proposals"fair and fiscally responsible. The district's statement said officials didn't know how long the strike would last but that officials will "continue to bargain with OEA in an effort to reach an agreement.". Oakland Education Association reaches deal with OUSD in "Labor contract issues should be resolved at the bargaining table and not interfere with our students academic objectives.". Here's the latest, What are 'common good' demands? "As an educator in OUSD for over 35 years, I have seen the devastating effects of learning disruption on our students. The starting salary for a first-year teacher in the district will increase to $62,696 from $52,905, according to a draft provided by the union. 1:10. Boy, is it running fast now. A retroactive 10% raise and a $5,000 one-time bonus that puts money in the pockets of all OEA members this year. Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group, via Associated Press. OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) More than 3,000 teachers and other workers in the Oakland Unified School District went on strike Thursday, saying the district failed to bargain in good faith on a new contract that asks for more resources for students and higher pay for employees. Oakland teachers union on strike; schools open without them 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Faculty working conditions are student learning conditions and ensuring the livelihoods of our members ensures a quality education at Oakland, Wendell said. I understand why they are striking. Throughout the morning, the community-based organization Homies Empowerment supported the strikers with breakfast burritos, fruit, and water. OAKLAND -- Officials with the Oakland Unified School District announced early Monday evening that the teachers' strike would extend into a fourth day on Tuesday, alerting parents that negotiations with the Oakland Education Association remained at an impasse. Blessing Batalonga, a freshman studying film production, wasn't sure whether her class would be held. Many are now wondering if this has all been effective and if it will help to reverse the school board's decision. It's not a position I ever thought I'd find myself in," he told reporters. The most recent drive was to Coloma to visit the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park. We have moved the needle significantly in that direction today.. These proposals have been made even though no other Oakland group employee has received an increase in base pay this year. Teacher sickouts in January caused some schools to close for a few days in January, and a student boycott over COVID safety also led to students staying home from school. Email us at CAtoday@nytimes.com with your suggestions. Briana Scalia and Johnna Margalotti contributed to California Today. The Oakland teachers union and school district reached a tentative agreement early Monday morning to end a teachers strike that lasted seven days and effectively closed down schools for tens of thousands of students, with just weeks left in the school year. Only about 1,200 students have shown up to school since the strike started May 4, district spokesperson John Sasaki said last week. Negotiations throughout the strike were contentious, with the union accusing district officials of bargaining in bad faith, and the district calling teachers demands unreasonable and naive and claiming their actions would jeopardize students grades and graduation prospects. according to a draft provided by the union, creation of a Black reparations task force, millions of dollars in new state grant money for education, in a video posted on the unions Twitter page, set their sights on disturbing the upfront week, do not make enough money to afford housing themselves. When a resolution was not reached byAug. 14 this year, the contract was extended again to Wednesday's deadline. A tentative agreement between the school district and the educators union includes several provisions meant to improve the lives of students and their families. [It] was a huge impact on our family and especially our daughter, Daves said in a text message. "So that all of us have a voice in how that money is being used. That would be great, if this were a personal training class. MORE: What are 'common good' demands? The northern lights as seen from Jackson. The district said in a statement schools will be open "but it will not be a typical school day.". Over the nearly two weeks that Oakland educators were off the job, the districts 80 schools remained open to its 34,000 students, but there was no instruction. The first-grade teacher who was shot by her 6-year-old student in Virginia no longer works for the school system that employed her. The OEA says it hasn't met face-to-face with district's negotiating team since Tuesday. A fisherman at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park. "They have a right to do it," said Robins. Thousands of students were out of school on Friday as the Oakland Education Association held a one-day strike to protest school closures. OAKLAND, Calif. Tell us about your favorite places to visit in California. Thousands of Oakland teachers go on strike, demand higher wages 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Jonae has been at the school since she was in transitional kindergarten and was eager to complete middle school there. The district is the second-largest school district in the Bay Area, where rents and housing prices have skyrocketed in recent years. Overall, the new contract amounts to a $70 million investment, the district said. Were going to continue to fight.. We wandered the dirt paths, read about the gold mining town and sites, saw people panning for gold and watched the American River rush by. Hundreds of Oakland Unified School District Teachers The union representing 880 OU faculty members said it hasbeen part of negotiationswith university officials and mediators to reach a contract before the start of the fall semester. "We stand ready to go back to the table at any time to work out a deal that will properly serve and honor our teachers, nurses, psychologists, counselors and other OEA members," district officials said. OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- For the third time this semester, teachers in Oakland have gone on strike to protest the closure of some schools. They also wouldn't commit to allowing exemptions for employees or allowing them to teach online, he said. We don't want a strike, but they (the teachers union) left the table and have broken off discussions. Updated on: May 5, 2023 / 6:13 AM OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) The Oakland Unified School District and striking teachers have reached agreement on four It states that what's being offered is a historic $70 million for teacher salaries. "OEA's vision of the common good is about us, the district, attempting to singularly solve complex societal realities, such as homelessness, that go far beyond the scope of what public schools can and should do alone," she said. RELATED: Confusion at center of Oakland teachers strike as both sides refute claims. So, that, I think, is really the root of the struggle right now," explains Cory Jong, who is also on the OEA common good bargaining team. Kimi Lee, a parent of two OUSD students, said her family went to sleep on Sunday night assuming school would be called off yet again on Monday. "Teachers are definitely underpaid. During a Monday Zoom call news conference, OUSD school board president Mike Hutchison said school officials have yet to determine when classes would break for the summer. Shooting: The San Francisco District Attorneys Office announced it would not charge a Walgreens security guard who shot and killed an unarmed trans man, The San Francisco Chronicle reports. The union's contract expired on Aug.14, 2020, but was extended a year. Email your suggestions to CAtoday@nytimes.com. OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) More than 3,000 teachers and other workers in the Oakland Unified School District went on strike Thursday, saying the district failed to Until we get a fair and equitable contract, we won't be going back.". Still, parents from Parker Elementary in East Oakland who came out to support teachers said they will do what they can to keep this school from closing. Teachers, librarians, nurses and other staff members in the Oakland Unified School District walked out on May 4, the latest in a string of labor standoffs at academic institutions in California. Los Angeles Philharmonic: Chad Smith, a veteran arts leader who has helped turn the Los Angeles Philharmonic into one of the most innovative orchestras in the nation, will leave his post to become president and chief executive of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Pension for aging boxers: The state-administered California Professional Boxers Pension Plan is failing many fighters, The Los Angeles Times reports. In the hard-fought deal struck in Oakland on Monday, the two sides agreed to a shared-governance model for the districts set of community schools, with steering-committee members appointed by both the school board and the union, according to OEA. I look forward to working with OUSD and OEA as my Administration continues to invest in community and school safety, affordable housing, and improved infrastructure, not only to attract teachers and families to Oakland, but to keep them here.. Get the new ABC7 Bay Area mobile app today! But as students arrived for classes, they and their parents were greeted by picket lines. Additionally, a new reparations task force with co-chairs appointed by both the union and district would identify schools with student populations that are at least 40% Black, and implement plans to help those students thrive. The deadlock now is over what are known as "common good proposals." We found a wonderful spot for coffee called the Argonaut Farm to Fork Cafe and had lattes, tea and a cookie. Early Monday, thousands of students sat idly in Oakland classrooms, unsure of when their school year will end as district officials and the teachers union remain without any movement toward a new contract. The OEA says if there is no deal by Sunday, it will continue to strike on Monday. More than half the worlds population sees AP journalism every day. All Rights Reserved. "These educators have continued to work hard despite the difficult circumstances posed by COVID-19 and they deserve fair compensation and respect from the administration," said David Hecker, president of AFT Michigan. Oakland is using the pandemic as a pretext to cut faculty compensation and exert control over academic programs," Karen Miller, president of the OU chapter of the American Association of University Professors, said in a statement. More than 3,000 teachers and staffers went on strike, impacting the district's 34,000 students. Oakland school district, teachers face the possibility of a But that's not what our P.E. With about two weeks left in the school year, parents and students find themselves caught in the middle. All Rights Reserved. Your donation makes this and all our other local reporting possible. Teachers keep leaving as well, and its like it has a lot to do with pay, but also a lot to do with resources for students, he added. This has never only been about teacher salary. Teachers in the Oakland Unified school District announced they're walking off the job, effective this Thursday. Negotiationsbegan in May. Ashley McBride writes about education equity for The Oaklandside. Oakland Unified School District teachers, students and parents rally outside United for Success Academy before marching down to Josie de la Cruz Park This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Theres also a clause requiring that the district work with AC Transit, which serves Oakland and some surrounding areas, to offer free bus passes to all students in the district.