OAKLAND, Calif. (KCBS RADIO) – A state labor board has declared that Oakland teachers can legally hold a strike before the end of the school year.
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The vote comes a day after the Oakland teachers union announced that it had overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike amid a seven month contract negotiation period with Oakland Unified School District.
A major rally is scheduled at the school board this afternoon, but no date has been set for a strike.
"I really want families to know that we are absolutely committed to settling at the table and that a strike would be an ultimate last resort," said Vilma Serrano, a Melrose Leadership Academy teacher who is on the union's bargaining team. "We are actively trying to bargain and avoid the strike."
A strike at the end of the year would be a significant undertaking for high schools, which handle standardized testing, AP exams, graduations and other celebratory events during the last months of classes.
For younger students, before and after school programs are often essential childcare services that Oakland families rely on.
In 2019, the Oakland teachers' strike lasted close to a week. Nearly 3,000 teachers participated, demanding a 12% retroactive raise.
Serrano explained that many teachers are facing big end of year decisions, for example whether to take a job in another school district with better pay, elevating the importance of contract negotiations and the possible strike.
The district has offered a 22% raise for most teachers to bring them closer to the average salary for educators in Alameda County, allowing the district to retain experienced educators, but the union is calling for a 23% raise.
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