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Dramatic Turn in Hayward Teachers Strike
The district has filed for an injunction against teachers to stop their strike; 1500 parents and students rally in support of teachers.
In a dramatic turn of events, Hayward Unified School District has enlisted the help of a union busting San Francisco law firm to win an injunction against striking teachers.
As Socialist Worker went to press, the thirteen hundred public school teachers represented by the Hayward Educators’ Association (HEA) remained on a highly-visible, militant strike for a fair raise.
Spirited “unity rallies” have brought together hundreds of teachers, parents and students in daily shows of force throughout Hayward.
Community anger led to the formation of a parent solidarity group, Families in Action. That group led fifteen hundred parents and students in a march on the district office to gain a hearing with Superintendent Dale Vigil.
Scandal erupted in the middle of the strike when the Superintendent’s nightly automated message to all parents implied—in the Spanish language version only—that the strike had ended. Parents called the Superintendent, who is Latino, a traitor.
Teachers at school sites have stood their ground against attempts to physically move scabs through the picket lines, where morale is high rain-or-shine. Less than 3% of regular teachers have crossed the lines.
Picket lines also appeared outside the homes of school board members, beginning as early as 6:30am.
At Bowman Elementary, teachers established “strike schools” for younger children to study reading, writing and math. The kids discussed Rosa Parks and wrote letters to the Superintendent supporting their teachers.
Since they must pay all healthcare costs out of pocket, Hayward teachers are among the lowest compensated in the high-cost Bay Area. They’re asking for the same 16.84% raise granted top district administrators this year.
The strike began two days before Spring Break, when many observers believed both sides would reach a compromise during the week-long break. However, most members of the district bargaining team simply left on Easter vacation.
The district clearly didn’t count on such militancy and perseverance.
On the 7th day of the strike, Superintendent Vigil declared an educational state of emergency and publicly admitted that he had cobbled together just 180 of the promised 1000 scabs to beat the union.
Citing this failure, the district filed for an injunction to end the strike through the state Public Employment Relations Board and threatened to seek further legal action.
“The district has been wasting time at the bargaining table for weeks by repackaging the same poor salary offer,” said Kathleen Crummey, HEA president. “Now they want to go to court with more lies about our intentions and conduct. In the court of public opinion, this district has already been found guilty of gross disrespect of teachers, parents and students.”
The implications of this fight are clear. Teachers throughout the state face similar contract fights and a union victory in Hayward will lead other school districts to think twice before attacking living standards and quality of education.
Throughout the Bay Area, teacher unions have contributed tens of thousands of dollars to support a small but important strike fund for needy teachers.
Supporters are urgently asked to call and email the Hayward Unified School District Board of Education. Grant Peterson, President: (510) 886-4263, husdtrustee.grant [at] comcast.net. Myrna Truehill, Vice President: (510) 887-0855, mtruehill [at] sbcglobal.net. Sarah Gonzales, Clerk: (510) 427-2043, sgonz50 [at] comcast.net. Paul Frumkin III, Member: (510) 886-8910, pfrumkin [at] co.alameda.ca.us. Jeff Cook, Member: (510) 732-0671, jeffcook4schools [at] comcast.net.
As Socialist Worker went to press, the thirteen hundred public school teachers represented by the Hayward Educators’ Association (HEA) remained on a highly-visible, militant strike for a fair raise.
Spirited “unity rallies” have brought together hundreds of teachers, parents and students in daily shows of force throughout Hayward.
Community anger led to the formation of a parent solidarity group, Families in Action. That group led fifteen hundred parents and students in a march on the district office to gain a hearing with Superintendent Dale Vigil.
Scandal erupted in the middle of the strike when the Superintendent’s nightly automated message to all parents implied—in the Spanish language version only—that the strike had ended. Parents called the Superintendent, who is Latino, a traitor.
Teachers at school sites have stood their ground against attempts to physically move scabs through the picket lines, where morale is high rain-or-shine. Less than 3% of regular teachers have crossed the lines.
Picket lines also appeared outside the homes of school board members, beginning as early as 6:30am.
At Bowman Elementary, teachers established “strike schools” for younger children to study reading, writing and math. The kids discussed Rosa Parks and wrote letters to the Superintendent supporting their teachers.
Since they must pay all healthcare costs out of pocket, Hayward teachers are among the lowest compensated in the high-cost Bay Area. They’re asking for the same 16.84% raise granted top district administrators this year.
The strike began two days before Spring Break, when many observers believed both sides would reach a compromise during the week-long break. However, most members of the district bargaining team simply left on Easter vacation.
The district clearly didn’t count on such militancy and perseverance.
On the 7th day of the strike, Superintendent Vigil declared an educational state of emergency and publicly admitted that he had cobbled together just 180 of the promised 1000 scabs to beat the union.
Citing this failure, the district filed for an injunction to end the strike through the state Public Employment Relations Board and threatened to seek further legal action.
“The district has been wasting time at the bargaining table for weeks by repackaging the same poor salary offer,” said Kathleen Crummey, HEA president. “Now they want to go to court with more lies about our intentions and conduct. In the court of public opinion, this district has already been found guilty of gross disrespect of teachers, parents and students.”
The implications of this fight are clear. Teachers throughout the state face similar contract fights and a union victory in Hayward will lead other school districts to think twice before attacking living standards and quality of education.
Throughout the Bay Area, teacher unions have contributed tens of thousands of dollars to support a small but important strike fund for needy teachers.
Supporters are urgently asked to call and email the Hayward Unified School District Board of Education. Grant Peterson, President: (510) 886-4263, husdtrustee.grant [at] comcast.net. Myrna Truehill, Vice President: (510) 887-0855, mtruehill [at] sbcglobal.net. Sarah Gonzales, Clerk: (510) 427-2043, sgonz50 [at] comcast.net. Paul Frumkin III, Member: (510) 886-8910, pfrumkin [at] co.alameda.ca.us. Jeff Cook, Member: (510) 732-0671, jeffcook4schools [at] comcast.net.
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FYI - we just learned that HUSD has withdrawn its injunction request, and new talks are scheduled for Sunday.
For more information:
http://www.markwelch.com/perspective/husd2...
John,
Thanks for the clear article about the strike. I teach at Tennyson High School in Hayward. We've had 100% of our teachers out for the last seven days. As of Saturday night, the district pulled their injunction but apparently plann to refile on Monday (see their website). They also plan to negotiate with the union on Sunday. Interestingly the community's demands were to drop the injunction, negotiate, and provide the teachers a raise.
The community's voice was strong and powerful. Seeing the parents, students, and young pre-schoolers march through Hayward was the most important experience of many veteran teachers. There were many tears in Hayward on Friday. I hope it brings a just settlement and builds a lasting movement for quality education.
Thanks for the clear article about the strike. I teach at Tennyson High School in Hayward. We've had 100% of our teachers out for the last seven days. As of Saturday night, the district pulled their injunction but apparently plann to refile on Monday (see their website). They also plan to negotiate with the union on Sunday. Interestingly the community's demands were to drop the injunction, negotiate, and provide the teachers a raise.
The community's voice was strong and powerful. Seeing the parents, students, and young pre-schoolers march through Hayward was the most important experience of many veteran teachers. There were many tears in Hayward on Friday. I hope it brings a just settlement and builds a lasting movement for quality education.
What's the name of the union busting law firm ? It would be useful to know . Also what is going on Monday 04-23 ? Any rallies planned ? Thanks .
I was concerned that if the strikes continue there will be a chance my child will be held back. I have not sent my son to school and do not intend to send him back until this resolved but wanted to know if anyone knew if the students will be given the opportunity to complete the school year by either extending into the summer or what arrangements will be made so that our children don't suffer while we support the teachers. Please let me know.
I was concerned that if the strikes continue there will be a chance my child will be held back. I have not sent my son to school and do not intend to send him back until this resolved but wanted to know if anyone knew if the students will be given the opportunity to complete the school year by either extending into the summer or what arrangements will be made so that our children don't suffer while we support the teachers. Please let me know.
The H.E.A. and strike supporters will be gathering at Mission and Foothill at 12-00 and then marching to Hayward City Hall .For more infro call H.E.A. at 510-538-1051 .
While the support from Hayward parents and other pro-union residents has been strong, the turnout from other unions, progressive university student groups etc. has been ''underwheming '' .
PLEASE COME TO HAYWARD TO SUPPORT THE STRIKE !
While the support from Hayward parents and other pro-union residents has been strong, the turnout from other unions, progressive university student groups etc. has been ''underwheming '' .
PLEASE COME TO HAYWARD TO SUPPORT THE STRIKE !
Today's noon rally was good . Approx 500 Teachers, parents. and Union Suporters (I.A.M., I.L.W.U., S.R.V.E.A. (San Ramon Teachers Union ) etc. ) marched to City hall with the ''soundtrack'' of a deafening chorus of motorists honking in solidarity. There will be another rally at 4-30 today at the School Adm. Offices(Amador at Stockton ) to support the H.E.A.'S bargaining team as they arrive for talks at 5.00pm .
I just read the filing from the Hayward School District's Law Firm. It iscompletely false and filled with lies. I am a big supporter of the Teachers and I am very upset at the Districts actions. I am so fed up with the District taking our teachers for granted and I believe that they will in turn be the ones leaving. No one in there right mind would ever vote for them again. Ourteachers deserve the raises. They are with our children for 6 to 8 hours a day and they are the ones giving our children a better opportunity to succeed, not our district.
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