Oakland Teachers Strike Enters Second Day, Disrupting Classes for 34,000 Students

Oakland, CA – The Oakland Teachers Association (OTA) went on strike on Thursday, May 4, 2023, after seven months of unsuccessful contract negotiations with the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD). The strike is impacting 34,000 OUSD students and comes with three weeks remaining in the school year, which ends May 25.

OTA members began picketing around 7 a.m. in front of the district’s 80 schools, in response to deadlocked negotiations with the district over issues like pay, hours, and other working conditions. The union is seeking a 6% pay raise over three years, smaller class sizes, more support staff, and more funding for arts and music programs.

OUSD has offered a 3% pay raise over three years, but the union has rejected the offer, saying it does not go far enough to address the needs of students and teachers. The district has also said that it cannot afford to meet the union’s demands, given its current budget constraints.

The strike is the second in four years in Oakland. In 2022, teachers went on strike for five days, eventually reaching a deal with the district that included a 5% pay raise and smaller class sizes.

The current strike is having a significant impact on students and families in Oakland. Many parents are scrambling to find childcare for their children during the strike, and some students are falling behind in their schoolwork. The strike is also putting a strain on the district’s budget, as it is having to pay for substitute teachers and other expenses related to the strike.

It is unclear how long the strike will last. Both sides have said that they are willing to continue negotiating, but they have not yet reached an agreement. The strike is a major setback for Oakland’s public schools, and it is unclear how it will impact the district’s long-term ability to provide a quality education for its students.