Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1081161
Our changed narrative Highlights from January CTA State Council The energy at January's CTA State Council was palpable as delegates celebrated United Teachers Los Angeles' historic, enormously successful six-day strike and settlement with Los Angeles Unified School District. CTA President Eric Heins, in his address to Council, praised UTLA leadership's work and added, "Organizing and collective action are becoming the new normal. … This strike changed the narrative on public education in California and across the country!" UTLA President Alex Capu- to-Pearl gave full credit to the collective action of UTLA members. "Strikes work," he said, repeating UTLA's rallying cry: "When we strike, we win!" He added that partnerships with parents and communities and "being bold in our demands" were critical, and promised: "[UTLA is] absolutely 100 percent going to be there with our sisters and brothers in Oakland," referring to a potential strike by Oakland Education Association members in February. Council in fact approved an OEA Day of Action on Feb. 15. Delegates roared their support for striking educators at three Los Angeles campuses of The Accelerated Schools — the first charter school teachers in California to go on strike. Their eight- day strike ended with a settlement on Sunday, Jan. 27. Solidarity Rules Delegates also heard from UNITE HERE Local 11 workers at the Westin Bonaventure, the long- time CTA State Council hotel in Los Angeles, who successfully settled a contract that gives them base pay of $25 an hour, affordable health care, increased pensions, and stronger protection for immigrants. Local 11 Co-President Kurt Petersen said CTA backing was invaluable during negoti- ations. He was able to tell the hotel, "If we don't settle by 3 p.m. today, CTA is not coming back." The Accelerated Schools teacher German Gallardo speaks to Council about the charter school educators' strike. UTLA President Alex Caputo-Pearl addresses the delegates, flanked by Arlene Inouye, UTLA bargaining chair, and Cecily Myart-Cruz, UTLA/NEA vice president. CTA President Eric Heins, Secretary-Treasurer David Goldberg, Vice President Theresa Montaño, state Superintendent Tony Thurmond, and CTA Executive Director Joe Nuñez. 52 cta.org CTA & You