UNION EDUCATORS are organizing, taking action together across the state and saying “We Can’t Wait!” for the safe, stable and fully staffed public schools students deserve.
On the heels of the inspiring strike victory by United Teachers of Richmond in December (see previous story), upwards of a dozen WCW locals are currently at impasse and preparing to strike for the resources their students deserve. Here’s an update:
United Educators of San Francisco (UESF)
UESF members went on strike in early February for the first time in 50 years – fighting together with their community for the public schools all San Francisco students deserve.
Thousands of educators, families and community members walked picket lines to demand safe and stable schools, supports for their students in special education, better health benefits and livable wages for educators, and support for their immigrant and unhoused communities who are under constant threat. UESF members are committed to winning the schools their students need!
“This is an incredible show of strength and unity,” UESF leaders said. “The urgency of our demands has never been clearer.”
Stay current on UESF’s powerhouse campaign on Facebook at @UESF61 and Instagram at @unitededucatorsofsf.
United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA)
More than 94% of UTLA members voted early this year to authorize a strike after 11 months of negotiations yielded little progress. Educators are demanding a living wage, among other critical issues. With bargaining at impasse, UTLA is organizing to win the resources and supports all Los Angeles students deserve.
UTLA won an agreement on health care, which members ratified last month.
Follow UTLA on Facebook and Instagram at @UTLANow.
Natomas Teachers
Association (NTA)
NTA members continue organizing for the teaching and learning conditions all Natomas students and educators deserve, voting in February to authorize a strike.
NTA’s negotiations have been at impasse since December, with educators fighting for the safe, stable schools their community needs, and competitive wages and benefits that will recruit
and retain educators in the district. Members have been picketing outside schools and school board meetings, rallying with parents and community to demand better from school district officials.
NTA kicked off the new year by collaborating on the regional art build in January to create signs and banners as they prepare to strike.
Soquel Education Association (SEA)
Soquel educators have declared an impasse in contract negotiations after months of stonewalling by the Soquel
Union Elementary School District.
47% of Soquel educators are considering employment elsewhere for the next school year, yet the district continues to refuse to invest in its teachers. Educators are being asked to shoulder crushing healthcare costs, in many cases in excess of $1,700 a month out-of-pocket, while being offered a 0% pay raise. While living in the most expensive part of the country (Santa Cruz), Soquel educators are among the lowest compensated in the state.
SEA members are organizing, demanding that the district put Soquel students first and calling for a fair, competitive contract now. Follow SEA on Facebook at @SoquelEA.
Twin Rivers United Educators (TRUE)
TRUE educators continue to organize for a fair contract, voting near-unanimously to authorize a strike for the safe, stable schools their students deserve.
Negotiations with the school district have been at impasse since December, following months of stalled negotiations
where the district refused to present fair and meaningful proposals for TRUE members.
TRUE is committed to fighting for smaller class sizes recruiting and retaining high-quality educators, and fully paid health benefits because investing in staff is investing in students. Educators across Sacramento are organizing together for public schools; among other actions, they held a successful art build in January.
Stay current on TRUE’s contract fight on Facebook at @TRUEassociation and Instagram at @WeAreTRUEUnion.
West Sacramento Teachers Association (WSTA)
West Sacramento teachers held a strike authorization vote in February (results unknown as of press time) as they continued their fight for wages that keep up with the rising cost-of-living and skyrocketing health insurance costs. WSTA educators, students and community came together in January for a massive rally and to call on school district administration to keep West Sacramento teachers with West Sacramento students.
Keep up with their fight on Facebook at @WSteachers.
Oakland Education Association (OEA)
OEA members were expected to vote to approve a strike in mid-February as school district administration continues to refuse to prioritize educator recruitment and retention. Educators held a huge rally at a school board meeting in January to demand safe, stable and racially just schools where all Oakland students can thrive and educators can stay. Stay up to date on their struggle on Facebook at @OaklandEA.
For more information about the We Can’t Wait campaign, see wecantwait.info.
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