West Contra Costa schools brace for potential teacher, staff strikes

"RICHMOND - Stuck in contentious negotiations over new contracts, two West Contra Costa Unified School District unions have overwhelmingly voted in favor of striking if district leadership cannot adequately meet their demands. More than 95% of members represented by the United Teachers of Richmond and Teamsters Local 856 separately voted recently to authorize strikes. That means about 3,000 district employees, from teachers and education specialists to maintenance and food service workers, could walk off the job if deals aren't struck in the coming months."

""Our district needs to prioritize stability for our students, now," United Teachers of Richmond President Francisco Ortiz said in a press release announcing the vote. "We are committed to do whatever it takes to win the fully staffed classrooms our students so desperately need." Contracts for both unions expired June 30 after negotiations on new contracts began in early 2025. Similar sticking points have led to impasses in the separate negotiation processes, now requiring a third party to assist with mediation and fact-finding. Once that process concludes and a final report is issued, the unions can officially legally strike."

"Both unions are seeking better pay for their members, better staffing levels and other improved working conditions. The requests come at a fiscally unstable time for the district, which has had to make tens of millions of dollars worth of cuts in recent years to maintain local control. But union members have argued the district could afford to meet union demands in part by adjusting the amount spent on contracted services."

Two West Contra Costa Unified School District unions overwhelmingly authorized strikes, with more than 95% voter approval among roughly 3,000 represented employees. The affected workers include teachers, education specialists, maintenance, and food service staff. Contracts for both unions expired June 30 after negotiations began in early 2025 and have reached impasses requiring third-party mediation and fact-finding. Unions are seeking higher pay, improved staffing levels, and better working conditions while citing the district's recent tens-of-millions-in-cuts and fiscal instability. Union leaders contend the district could reprioritize spending, including contracted services, to meet demands before a legal strike can occur.

Read at The Mercury News