Dramatic Turn in Hayward Teachers Strike

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.