Volume 45 Number 4
Generous contribution made to strike fund
Demonstrating its solidarity with striking teachers in the Capistrano Unified School District, CCA contributed $5,000 to the strike fund of the K-12 CTA chapter.
“No one wants to strike, but when it happens, it’s important that we lend our support in any way we can. In this case, our CCA Council voted to make a contribution to the strike fund,” said CCA President Ron Norton Reel.
Board imposes contract
Capistrano Unified Education Association went out on strike over the school board’s attempt to impose permanent wage and benefit cuts on teachers. The cuts would have meant a $15,000 loss in salary for new teachers and almost $30,000 for longtime veteran teachers. CUTA President Vicki Soderberg took her members out on strike Thursday, April 22 in what would end up being a three-day action. By Monday, the two sides had reached a tentative agreement that guaranteed that any cuts would be restored.
“CUEA members cannot find words adequate to express our appreciation to the thousands of supportive district parents and community members whose support and encouragement helped Capistrano’s teachers achieve this new contract with the CUSD board,” said CUEA President Vicki Soderberg.
CUEA began preparing for a strike months ago when negotiations reached a stalemate.
Stand up
“When it became obvious that the Capistrano school board did not intend to negotiate in good faith, we had to stand up for our profession and for our students,” said CUEA bargaining committee chairperson Sally White, a fifth-grade teacher.
White said the board made it clear that its intention was to destroy the teachers union.
“If my CTA colleagues around the state are not already strengthening their local association’s communications, organizing and bargaining programs, I strongly encourage them to do so. They are going to need them if the top-down, dictatorial management style we’re facing here in Capistrano spreads.”
CCA members from the Hartnell College Faculty Association also learned the meaning of solidarity during its four-day strike in October 2006. Like Capistrano, Hartnell received the support of local teachers, CSU faculty and the labor federation. Hartnell was the last CCA chapter to strike.