Union Report: On the Heels of L.A. Strike, Expect Some Similar Tactics If Oakland Teachers Walk Out — but on a Smaller Scale
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Last week, the Oakland Education Association announced that members had voted in favor of a strike, with a vote of 2,206 to 105. The fact-finding report was not expected until Friday, meaning that the strike would likely commence after Presidents Day.
Given its proximity to the recent Los Angeles teacher strike, it is inevitable that there will be comparisons drawn between the two. While there are clear similarities in bargaining issues and messaging, there are also important distinctions.
The attention garnered by a strike involving 32,000 teachers in the second-largest school district in the country, especially one located in a media hub like Los Angeles, cannot be understated. Although Oakland will also receive attention, much of it will be due to the aftermath of the Los Angeles teacher strike and the 2018 walkouts in conservative states.
The Oakland teachers union has fewer than 3,000 active members, making it less than one-tenth the size of United Teachers Los Angeles, and not even the largest in the Bay Area. Consequently, the media coverage in Oakland is expected to be significantly less compared to Los Angeles.
There will undoubtedly be familiar strategies employed. Just like the Los Angeles union, the Oakland union has provided its members with a strike readiness toolkit. In addition, the California Teachers Association, the statewide parent union, will organize solidarity actions across the state on Friday to draw attention to the situation in Oakland. Furthermore, plans are in place for informational picketing in other school districts on the second day of the strike.
The union leadership in Oakland includes officers who are even more militant than their counterparts in Los Angeles. They will emphasize the issue of privatization and corporate influence, which resonate strongly in one of the most politically liberal areas in the country. However, Oakland lacks an easily identifiable individual target for this messaging.
Unlike the Los Angeles Unified School District, which is led by Austin Beutner, a white, male newcomer to public education with a corporate background, the Oakland Unified School District is led by Kyla Johnson-Trammell, an African-American woman who attended Oakland public schools and has dedicated her entire career to the district, beginning as a teacher. She holds a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of California, Berkeley. As a result, she is unlikely to face the same level of criticism from the union as Beutner.
In the negotiations in Los Angeles, reducing class sizes emerged as the primary issue, with salary increases becoming less significant. The teachers lost over half of the negotiated raise in lost wages during the strike, which had been offered by the district well before the strike was called.
In contrast, in Oakland, the focus is reversed. While the union always advocates for smaller class sizes, the major point of contention is pay. The union is seeking a 12 percent increase over three years, while the district has offered 5 percent. Bridging such a substantial gap will prove challenging, and there is also debate over the district’s ability to meet the union’s demands.
Similar to Los Angeles, Oakland Unified is at risk of being taken over by the county or state due to a structural deficit. Additionally, the union alleges that the district is mismanaging funds and holding excessive reserves.
However, the key difference is that Oakland Unified is still grappling with the aftermath of a previous state takeover that occurred between 2003 and 2009. The district is still repaying a $100 million loan from that period.
Despite these differences, the conclusion of the Oakland teacher strike is likely to bear resemblance to its counterpart in Los Angeles. Any compromises made will rely on a "leap of faith," as described by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, by including obligations in the contract for which there are currently no available funds.
While a strong economy may mitigate the consequences of these commitments, it is always prudent to exercise caution before taking action.
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