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 victories by United Teachers of Richmond in December (see previous story) and United Educators of San Francisco in February, several 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)
After 11 months of bargaining, UESF members went on strike on Feb. 9 for the first time in 50 years. In an incredible show of strength and unity, thousands
of educators, families and community members walked picket lines, marched in the streets and rallied in the rain. On Feb. 13, UESF reached a tentative agreement with San Francisco Unified that will give educators fully funded health care, improved wages, special education supports, sanctuary and housing protections for SF Unified families and more.
The historic strike built an unbreakable solidarity across the city that made clear what we can do when we join together to fight.
“None of this would have been possible without the thousands of you who showed up to our board actions, signed petitions to commit to our campaign,
wrote letters to our Board of Education, and showed up to support your big bargaining team,” UESF leaders said. Follow UESF 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, with 98% 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 health care 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.
Madera Unified Teachers Association (MUTA)
Madera Unified Teachers Assn. proved that when you organize and fight, you win! After more than a year of bargaining and a month of mediation, Madera educators won a 12.5% increase in salary, additional employer contributions to health benefits, and more. The win came after MUTA organized educators
from every school site, as well as parents and community members, and made it clear they were ready to do whatever it took to win a fair contract.
West Sacramento Teachers Association (WSTA)
West Sacramento teachers held a strike authorization vote in February; 96% of members participated and 97% voted in favor. WSTA educators are fighting for wages that keep up with the rising cost-of-living and skyrocketing health insurance costs. Members, 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.
We Can’t Wait Victories!
These WCW locals recently organized, built power and negotiated contracts as they continue the fight for the safe, stable and fully staffed schools all students deserve:
• Anaheim Secondary Teachers Assn.
• Duarte Unified Education Association
• Lynwood Teachers Association
• Madera Unified Teachers Association
• San Diego Education Association
• Southwest Teachers Association
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