"United Teachers of Richmond, which represents about 1,400 educators across dozens of campuses, alerted district leadership that the union plans to begin its strike Thursday. Picketing will begin at every campus 45 minutes before the first bell sounds, the union announced in a press release Monday evening. "Striking is the last resort - we want to teach. But we know this truth: the status quo is failing our students," read the press release set out by union President Francisco Ortiz."
"For nearly 10 months, bargaining teams for the West Contra Costa Unified School District and the United Teachers of Richmond have gone back and forth about key contract issues such as pay, healthcare benefits, class sizes and working conditions. A shaky financial footing prevents the district from offering more, administrators say. The union counters that funding spent on outsourcing services could and should be redirected to help meet their demands."
Union members representing about 1,400 educators plan strikes at every campus beginning Thursday, with picketing starting 45 minutes before the first bell. The union characterizes the status quo as failing students and frames the action as protecting students' futures. Bargaining has stalled for nearly 10 months over pay, healthcare, class sizes, and working conditions. District officials cite precarious finances as the constraint on offers. The union argues that outsourcing expenditures could be redirected to meet demands. An arbitrator recommended a 6% raise phased in parts and gradual increases in district healthcare contributions beginning in 2026 and 2027.
Read at The Mercury News
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