Oakland teachers: Strike Vote as Soon as 2/12, Come Help This Saturday!!

30% of Oakland's teachers are leaving every year. This is one of the most
significant factors leading to a destabalized learning environment that is
driving 73 of 100 African American students out of the Oakland schools
before graduation.

To support Oakland's educators... this Saturday and every Saturday is
"supermarket Saturday" where union members and allies will go out to most
major supermarkets in Oakland all day and pass out information about our
contract. We don't have hundreds of thousands of dollars to invest in our
PR campaign, but we do have the truth and our voices!! Go to a supermarket
near you or call the OEA at 510.763-4020 to learn more or find other ways
to help or stop by our office, 272 E. 12th Street, or
go to http://www.oaklandea.org


http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/local/states/california/alameda_county/montclair/13838450.htm

Posted on Fri, Feb. 10, 2006

OEA warns it could hold strike vote
No talks are scheduled between the teachers union and the district, which
left the table Jan. 31
By Kimberly S. Wetzel
STAFF WRITER

The Oakland Education Association could hold a strike vote later this month
if the school district fails to offer what the union considers a fair
teachers contract, union officials said.

Ben Visnick, president of the union representing the Oakland Unified School
District's teachers, said the OEA is still waiting to hear from the
district, which left the bargaining table on Jan. 31 after union members
asked for a 7 percent increase in salary over three years. The district's
final offer was 4 percent.

If the district doesn't submit a counter proposal and attempt to continue
negotiations, a strike vote at the union's tentatively scheduled Feb. 21
members meeting is very possible, Visnick said.

"We're turning the pressure up big time," Visnick said Wednesday. "We gave
them a proposal, and they need to give us a counter-proposal. We don't want
to strike; we're trying to settle, but it takes two."

Oakland's teachers have been working for more than a year and a half
without a contract.

Although both sides have indicated they are willing to resume negotiations,
neither has extended the olive branch and no new talks are scheduled. A
call to the district was not immediately returned Thursday. However,
district officials have said in recent days that no decision has been made
on its next move and that it's up to the union to initiate new talks.

The main issues for the union are pay increases and no limits on district
health care contributions. The district has maintained it cannot afford a
pay raise other than the 4 percent offered.

Teachers also are asking for the hiring of more specialized teachers and a
stop to involuntary transfers.

Union representatives and about 100 teachers and supporters continued a
push for public support at a rally Wednesday in front of the district's
offices. They warned parents to think twice about sending children to
school if teachers decide to picket.

"It would be an unsafe position for parents to send their kids to school in
the event of strike," said Trish Gorham, OEA first vice president.

The rally came a day after the Oakland City Council passed a resolution
asking both sides to sit down at the table once more using an independent
fact-finders report as a foundation.

The report, issued in mid-January on the district's finances, recommended
that district officials give teachers a 4 percent to 4.5 percent pay
increase over the next two years. Teachers took a 4 percent pay cut a few
years ago.

Meanwhile, teachers are becoming more and more angry.

"District leaders, including (State Administrator) Dr. (Randolph) Ward and
some of the bargaining team. members need a lesson in differentiation
between the word 'restore' and 'raise', as well as a lesson in math," said
Susan Townsend, a teacher at Carl Munck Elementary.

"We are dealing with a negative 4 percent, we were given a 4 percent cut a
few years ago," she said. "Until that cut is restored, you cannot use the
word 'raise' accurately." Reach Kimberly S. Wetzel at kwetzel [at] cctimes.com
or at 510-748-1682.