Oakland Unified School District teachers hold first day of strike

Oakland teachers celebrated the first day of the strike on Thursday.

After seven months of unsuccessful contract negotiations with the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD), the Oakland Education Association (OEA) union has decided to go on strike, which affects nearly 34,000 OUSD students with three weeks left in the school year, which ends on May 25.

Crocker Highlands families say: When Oakland schools are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back! #Unite4OaklandStudents pic.twitter.com/vLOW2ghinT

— Oakland Education Association (@OaklandEA) May 4, 2023

The Oakland Education Association represents more than 3,000 teachers, counselors, nurses, social workers, and substitutes who work in OUSD schools.

From 7:00 am, the members of the OEA began with the demonstrations in front of the 80 schools that the district has.

Related: Oakland teachers, for starting a strike starting this Thursday, May 4

Negotiations between district and union, without success

The union and OUSD were unable to reach an agreement on a new labor contract, hours, and other working conditions.

OEA accused the district of negotiating in bad faith, while district officials argued that they submitted proposals to increase teacher salaries by 13% to as much as 22%.

The union did not report a possible date to end the work stoppage.

Some parents, accompanied by their student children, attended OUSD schools to show support for the striking teachers.

OUSD campuses had their doors open to receive students, although no classes were held. Principals and administrative staff attended the campuses to maintain supervision, the school district explained.

Among the demands of the OEA are a 23% increase in salaries, establishing equitable workloads for educators, fewer students per class, and more resources to reinforce security in schools.

Some parents were not in favor of the strike initiated by the teachers.

“While I believe teachers deserve more pay, I don't support this strike with weeks to go in the school year. I find it unforgivable to continue to disrupt students who have already been affected by COVID and recent remote learning,” Micaela Mazzini, who has a son at an OUSD school and one at a private institution, told The Oakland Side.

Disappointment in the district over the teachers' strike

The Oakland Unified School District held a press conference Thursday morning, led by Superintendent Kyla Johnson-Trammell and School Board President Mike Hutchinson, expressing disappointment in the OEA-initiated walkout.

“Our communities suffer because the children who depend on us for security, stability, and education don't go to school. I have appreciated the progress we have made recently with OAS, and I believe we will continue to align toward a shared vision and purpose for the common good,” the superintendent said.

Johnson-Trammell noted that OUSD's proposal to allocate nearly $70 million for teacher compensation, considering a retroactive 10% increase and a one-time $5,000 bonus, would offer teachers a pay increase for next year.

Hutchinson accused the union of breaking off negotiations with the district, talks at which California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond was also present.

On Thursday, the California Superintendent of Public Instruction offered to mediate negotiations between the district and the teachers union.

“Our goal is to help the parties reach an agreement and end the strike so students can return to classrooms as soon as possible,” Thrumond said in a statement.

For this Friday, May 5, the union plans to continue with the demonstrations starting at 7:30 am