Oakland Unified School District treats scabs better than teachers
Teachers and community supporters picketed OUSD’s scab worker hiring fair this weekend, completely shutting it down within hours
By Jamie Gardner
This weekend, the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) sparked outrage when they tried to hire scabs to replace striking teachers—for more than twice what they pay regular subs. Oakland teachers and their supporters in the community jumped into action to block the district, completely shutting down a scab hiring fair within hours and jamming the district’s online hiring portals.
OUSD posted the online job listings for paid strike-breakers, or “scabs,” to staff Oakland schools in case teachers go on strike this month. The district waived nearly every qualification normally required of substitute teachers, showing that they are more committed to breaking the power of striking teachers than to ensuring the safety and well-being of students. The $300-a-day rate for scabs is more than twice what subs are normally paid in Oakland and is well above the starting pay for the district’s full-time teachers.
The response from teachers, parents, and community members was immediate, fierce, and creative.
On Saturday, over 40 people turned out to an OUSD hiring fair with picket signs and flyers letting potential strikebreakers know what they were getting into. The power of any strike comes from workers withholding their labor and grinding everything to a halt until the boss caves and gives into their demands. In OUSD, teachers are demanding lower class sizes, more pay, and more services for students—things anyone who cares CONTINUE READING: Oakland Unified School District treats scabs better than teachers | East Bay Majority
