Oakland’s Teachers and District Find Common Ground by Agreeing on Four Demands

Oakland, California – In an ongoing strike that has now entered its second week, the Oakland Unified School District and teachers have finally reached an agreement on four key provisions that were causing a deadlock.

The Oakland Education Association expressed their satisfaction, stating, “We are still on strike, but momentum is on our side,” on Twitter Saturday night.

The union, representing 3,000 educators and other workers, has accused the district of not bargaining in good faith for a new three-year contract. In addition to traditional demands for higher salaries, the striking workers have emphasized the need for provisions addressing racial equity, homelessness, and environmental justice for students.

On Saturday night, progress was made as four of the demands were agreed upon. These include provisions for housing and transportation, the community schools grant, the Black thriving community schools initiative, and school closures, according to the Bay Area News Group.

However, it remains unclear how close the two sides are in reaching a deal on the remaining demands, particularly related to increased compensation.

Superintendent Kyla Johnson-Trammell assured parents that the district is offering raises of up to 22% for some teachers, but teachers argue that additional support beyond the classroom is necessary to improve learning conditions and retain educators. Other common-good demands include more mental health support, school repairs, and subsidized transportation for low-income students.

The strike has taken place at the end of the school year, which concludes on May 25. Despite the strike, the district’s 80 schools have remained open to its 34,000 students, with meals and supervision provided. However, only about 1,200 students have attended school since the strike began on May 4.