Betty Olson-Jones on Oakland Teacher's strike

oaklandseen — April 26, 2010 — The president of the Oakland Education Association explains the teacher's strike set for this week.





laborvideo — April 21, 2010 — OEA member and bargaining team member Jack Gerson spoke recently at the Mar. 4 Statewide Day of Action in Defense of Public Education in Oakland on "Who Our Friends Are" . The OEA will be going out on strike on April 29, 2010 to defend their membership and conditions. Jack Gerson, OEA Bargaining Team The Oakland Unified School District administration has informed the Oakland teachers' union (OEA) that it plans to impose its "last, best and final offer", and has prepared a resolution to that effect for Wednesday's school board meeting (6pm; 1025 2nd Avenue, Oakland). There is nothing good about this "last, best and final offer". Here are a few of the rotten terms: OUSD will impose a contract that calls for NO raise for Oakland teachers -- and Oakland teachers are the lowest paid teachers in Alameda County, a fact that contributes to OUSD having one of the highest teacher turnover rates in the country. OUSD is also imposing class sizes substantially higher than what has been the norm in Oakland for years. Class size is critical -- smaller classes are especially important for economically disadvantaged students, because it enables0 more individual instruction and attention. OUSD is imposing conditions which will allow it to eliminate adult education -- a program that serves 25,000 students, including thousands of recent immigrants, many single mothers, and many young people who missed school time because they were in jail. Come to Wednesday's school board meeting to support a decent contract for Oakland teachers. And, most urgently, help build massive support for OEA's April 29 strike. This fight is about power. The side that wins the most support from the Oakland community is the side that will win. If OEA gets strong support from its members, from the other schoolworker unions, from students, from parents, and from the community, then the district will find the money to fund what OEA is demanding: quality public education, as a basic civil right. We can win. This will happen -- if we make it happen. All out for Wednesday's school board meeting! All out for April 29th!http://oaklandea.com/