Oakland Teachers Strike Again, Demand Better Pay and Protection from Billionaires Hellbent on Destroying Public Education!
It's time to give a round of applause to the Oakland teachers who are on strike for the second year in a row. These educators are not only fighting for better pay and working conditions, but they are also standing up against the underfunding of public schools by the state and the influence of billionaires who want to destroy California's public education system.
Let's face it, the situation in Oakland is not unique. Teachers across the state are facing similar challenges, including a pandemic, staffing shortages, and rising costs of living. It's no wonder that strikes in public education have become more common since the Chicago teachers' strike in 2012.
But why is this happening? Well, it's because the state has been underfunding public schools for the past 20 years. And if that wasn't enough, billionaires are working to destroy California's public education system. It's like a two-headed monster that teachers have to fight against.
The root cause of these problems is the lack of funding by the state and the influence of billionaires who want to destroy public schools. Teachers are fighting for better pay and working conditions, but they are also fighting for the future of public education in California.
It's not just Oakland teachers who are taking action. Teachers in Los Angeles, Marin County, and West Contra Costa Unified School District have all authorized strikes or gone on strike in recent months. Even San Francisco teachers, who haven't gone on strike since 1979, are ramping up pickets this week to demand better pay and working conditions.
The situation is dire, but teachers are not giving up. They know that they are fighting for something important, and they are willing to do whatever it takes to win. Strikes may cause problems in the short term, but in the long term, they may be what's needed to have strong public education.
The situation in Oakland is particularly concerning. The district has been without a fully new contract since 2017, and negotiations have been ongoing since October. Teachers are demanding a 22.9% pay raise, improved working conditions, and support for students who are unhoused.
The district has proposed a new salary schedule that would give teachers varying pay increases depending on their experience and education level, as well as an ongoing 10% raise retroactive to November of last year, and a one-time $5,000 bonus. While this is a step in the right direction, it doesn't go far enough to address the root causes of the problem.
Teachers are not just fighting for themselves. They are fighting for their students and for the future of public education in California. They know that if they don't take action now, things will only get worse.
It's time for the state to step up and fund public education properly. It's time for billionaires to stop trying to destroy public schools. And it's time for everyone to support our teachers as they fight for a better future for all of us. So let's give a big shout-out to all the teachers who are on strike right now. Keep fighting the good fight!
Oakland teachers strike to raise some of the state’s lowest salaries | EdSource https://edsource.org/2023/oakland-teachers-threaten-strike-to-raise-some-of-states-lowest-salaries/689841
