Comments on: Oaklanders: Do you support the strike? The contract imposition?

By: Sarah

Sarah — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 04:51:31 +0000

I’m a third year teacher that came to Oakland because I believe that the system is broken. Our union does have its merits, but it has also done everything in their power to maintain status quo in Oakland. They are vehemently anti-testing, anti-charter schools, anti-teacher accountability. In 2008/9, they refused to participate in a Parcel Tax referendum that would have substantially raised OEA salaries (potentially $5K+). Long story short, the only place that the OEA leaders are looking for a raise is from the district, which is in the process of cutting $85 million this year alone. Their beliefs have made it impossible for OEA to pursue pay increases from other sources, including tax revenues, federal incentive programs, or foundations.
I am crossing a picket line because I am choosing to stand up for what I believe in. Unions have their place, but when their methods (or the methods of ANY organization) threaten to wreak havoc on our schools, I can’t stand with them. We aren’t talking about a union that is fighting with a for-profit company with shareholders involved, we’re talking about a union that is trying to bleed dry a distract that already can barely stand on it’s own. The “district” isn’t just a bunch of adults, is nearly 40,000 kids who need to get an education.
I believe that by striking, I will be supporting OEA’s political views and the methods they are using to get a raise from OUSD. Since I can’t see any feasible way for OUSD to give OEA members a raise without completely decimating other services and/or breaking contracts with other workers, I cannot support a strike. OEA also maintains that the strike is about other issues, such as Adult Ed, class sizes, etc. This is true, but during a budget crises, hard choices must be made.
I have heard from many teachers that while they don’t really support the strike, they are still going to stay home. That choice is personal, but consider the fact that since OUSD has imposed a contract, a one-day strike is probably not going to change the terms of that contract. A prolonged strike might, but with serious repercussions for students and families. My opinion is that since I don’t support an indefinite strike, I also don’t support a one-day strike.
In response to the commentary about executive salaries – yes, the Superintendent’s salary is high, but that won’t change the contract. It can be argued that OUSD needs a high executive salary to attract a candidate like Tony Smith, or we could have been stuck with the interim, Roberta Mayor, who was widely regarded as ineffectual.
Overall, I do believe in the power an organized workforce, but not to the extent that I will do anything OEA tells me to when it goes against my core beliefs. I believe we could actually be more effective by organizing ourselves into an alternate body, ready to stand up for what we actually believe in, not what OEA tells us to believe in.

By: concerned parent

concerned parent — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 15:03:35 +0000

What was the raise the OUSD Board gave themselves? Hadn’t heard about that.

By: Mary

Mary — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 14:35:42 +0000

I think you should go to Manzanita, since the OEA has gone on record saying that the way to pay teacher raises is to close small schools. You could ask the parents and teachers on the picket line which one of their small schools should close in order to pay for the teachers’raise.

By: Mahmood Ketabchi

Mahmood Ketabchi — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 23:10:40 +0000

The imposition of “last, best, and final offer” by the district on the union is a union busting tactic usually used by hostile management groups. The fact that the district ignored the fact finder’s report shows the school district officials were negotiating in bad faith.

By: Turanga_teach

Turanga_teach — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 05:21:46 +0000

Katy,
Come on down to Sequoia: our very diverse school community is made up of many active supporters of public education in Oakland, and it looks like teachers and families will be out in strong numbers. The current OEA president is one of our former staff (heck, she may want to return after this contract year…)

By: Starshaped

Starshaped — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 20:58:22 +0000

Katy,

I teach at Montclair and many of the families in my class will be on the line. I’m sure J. Miller, Thornhill, Kaiser, and Chabot will have a huge turnout as well. You may be able to hit a bunch of schools in one go. Thanks for the balaced reporting on this subject. It often seems, as a teacher, that public education is under attack from all sides. Its nice to see that not everyone is against us.

By: Hilary Stoermer

Hilary Stoermer — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 17:46:31 +0000

I am supporting the strike for one day at least. I’m completely torn on this one. I respect the teachers so immensely and know they are not getting what they deserve (my sister being one of them). Yet on the other hand, I work for the City/County of SF and am looking at 12 or so furlough days next year, with possibly more to come. I so hope it comes to nothing more than this one day strike.

By: Chauncey

Chauncey — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 04:54:08 +0000

Heck yes!!! Gime my money and watch me send my kids to Head Royce school where many OUSD and Alameda County educators send their kids. Ms. Jordan, The Alamdea Co Supt. who bashes charters. and so – called, supported district schools did this. So did Alamda Supt Kristen Vital.Do your research.

So how can we , the working class get our money to do the same? They believe in their system so much, that they avoid it.

Get rid of em all!

By: Oakland Teacher

Oakland Teacher — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 04:03:27 +0000

The objective is to get the district back to the bargaining table. The objective is to get the district to consider the fact finding report as a starting point for negotiations. The objective is to show the district that “business as usual” is not happening. The objective is to let them know that the entire community is watching and is supporting the demands that class size not be increased further, that adult ed not be eliminated, and that the district change their priorities: spending more on 2 high priced administrators than other districts (whereas other districts only have 1 superintendent), and receiving more money per pupil than most districts while spending less on teacher salaries than other districts. Because our teacher turnover rate is so high, we end up with a very low average teacher salary. It is a real conflict of interest that when the district treats teachers poorly, they get to save money through rapid turnover of staff. That means that we spend even less than every other district on teacher pay as a % of the total budget. If everyone stayed out on 4/29, if other unions did not cross picket lines, the district would be forced to rethink its strategy.

About kids crossing picket lines. I guess I can’t speak for others, but I have been through this before and we will wave and say hi to our kids. We are not forming wall to wall blockades that anyone has to break through. We will wish them a good morning and mean it.

By: TheTruthHurts

TheTruthHurts — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 02:08:22 +0000

@Aly, I agree it’s just sad. I understand both sides and shudder at the potential for damage to adults and children alike. It’s very unfortunate it’s come to this.