OEA to keep up the heat on the district

From a recent press announcement:

BREAKING NEWS ABOUT OAKLAND TEACHERS’ VOTE: Oakland Education Association President Betty Olson-Jones just announced the results of a crucial vote by Oakland Unified teachers on the future of their contract fight. In a strong show of solidarity after their one-day strike April 29, educators voted 75% yes in favor of authorizing the leaders of the union to take various actions to secure a fair contract – up to and including another strike. In all, 755 educators took part in the voting, which took place at Oakland Technical High School Monday: The breakdown was 565 voting yes, 184 voting no, with 6 abstentions. Both the OEA and the school district will meet on Thursday to set the new date when negotiations will start again.

Separately on Monday, teachers passed a motion requiring that any decision to call an indefinite strike must be made by the OEA Representative Council made up of more than 100 Oakland Unified teachers from all school sites. A short strike can still be authorized by just the much smaller OEA executive board. Oakland teachers are among the lowest-paid in the East Bay and are angry that the district imposed a contract April 21 containing no raises that also could hurt students by increasing class sizes.

OEA President Olson-Jones can be reached for interviews on cell at 510-866-3676. More information is on the union website at www.OaklandEA.org

Strike 4/29!

Thanks to all who came out today in solidarity. Our numbers through your support demonstrated to the district that Oakland residents care about quality education in our public schools. Please feel free to contact us at oaklandcoalition@gmail.com with any photos you might have from the strike to share!

Join us the weekend of 4/24-25 to canvas neighborhoods!

Oakland Unified teachers want to canvas as many neighborhoods as possible to get the word out about the upcoming strike on April 29th. We will be pass out fliers in neighborhoods, public gatherings, and other events to let the community know what’s coming up.

If you are interested in joining us, please email: oaklandcoalition@gmail.com

Downloadable Flyer Available

Download and print out these flyers (double-sided). Pass them out in your school, your community, to families, to students, anyone who will take one! We need to build greater Oakland community for the upcoming strike.

OEA Strike postponed to Thursday 4/29

The Oakland Education Association has postponed the district wide strike until Thursday, April 29th. Picket lines will be held at all public schools during the morning hours, from 6am to 11 am, and 2pm until 4pm. From 12 to 2pm there will be a rally for all teachers, parents, students, and the community at Frank Ogawa Plaza in Oakland.

What can you do to help?

Call Superintendent Tony Smith at (510) 879-8200 to let him know you want a fair contract for Oakland teachers – maintain smaller class sizes, raise teacher salaries, and continue the adult education program!

More information coming.