Over the weekend, the beleaguered teachers of Oakland received a strong show of support from California Teachers Association President Barbara Kerr who promised help from the powerful CTA union if the teachers go on strike. Contract negotiations between the district and Oakland teachers have stalled since August 2004, with disputes over healthcare benefits and raises which the district maintains it can’t afford to pay teachers. The Oakland teachers’ union was emboldened by a long-awaited report, issued by an independent panel appointed by the state Public Employee Relations Board, which suggests that the Oakland school district can afford to boost teachers’ salaries by at least 2% annually. Oakland schools’ chief Randy Ward has maintained that the bankrupt district can not afford to restore the 4% pay cut Oakland teachers agreed to two years ago. The Oakland school district has lost 20% of its student enrollment over the past four years and has to contend with a nearly 30% attrition rate amongst its teachers. The fact-finding report also asks for the union to make a concession on healthcare, which members currently do not have to pay for, save a modest co-pay on doctor visits. Their proposal calls for the teachers to agree to pay up to 0.5% of their yearly salary, capped at $500 annually, towards their health insurance premiums. Beginning last week, the district braced for a possible strike by sending out notices to parents and hiring temporary teachers.
With:
Jill Tucker.
Airdate: January 27, 2006.
Additional Resources
CTA promises help if Oakland teachers strike
William Brand, Oakland Tribune
Buoyed fact-finding report, teachers protest district moves
Susan McDonough, Oakland Tribune
Fact-finding report backs raises for teachers
Simone Sebastian, SF Chronicle
Oakland teachers, district bracing for strike
Simone Sebastian, SF Chronicle
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