Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1259894
H E P O W E R O F solidarity is unstoppable, even in the middle of a pandemic. This was bril- liantly illustrated by a group of about 100 San Jose educators when they organized a union amid shelter- in-place orders. When these teachers and counselors from four Downtown College Prep charter schools filed for recognition on May 11, South Bay Educators United (SBEU) became the new- est local in CTA and likely the first educators union in the country organized during the COVID-19 pandemic. The effort is a testa- ment to what educators will do to support one another, protect their students and defend the school community they love. "A union is a great step to fixing all the things we don't like at Downtown College Prep (DCP) without changing its mission and what it means to our families," says Beatriz Velez, history teacher at El Primero High School. "We want to keep doing all the great things we've been doing at DCP. We just want a real seat at the table." Guided by the values that built DCP, which serves mostly Latino students who often become the first in their families to attend college, a small group of educators began orga- nizing in late February to advocate for their students and create positive change. Unsustainable expectations by management, a lack of support for educa- tors, and a disconnect with realities facing students and staff fueled the group's desire to organize a union. Organizing for positive change "My vision for SBEU is to create a sustain- able environment for educators so students not only have consistency with who they see year-to-year but also top-tier, experienced educators who receive ongoing training and support," says Sal Williams, an English teacher at El Primero. "Our students already have so much instability in their lives. They deserve stability at school. Our union can help create systems to aid with teacher retention that will support our students." The educators contacted CTA in March for support and guidance with the process to join our union. An organizing committee began videoconferencing weekly to strate- gize. Due to COVID-19, the historic campaign occurred without any in-person organizing. But SBEU showed that the face-to-face communication that powers unionizing efforts doesn't have to be done in person. Alum Rock Middle School educator and SBEU member Carolina Rodriguez says the "distance organizing" was surprisingly streamlined and had many unexpected benefits. "We were able to have one-to-one conversations Beatriz Velez Carolina Rodriguez Virtual Organizing, Real Solidarity South Bay Educators United is CTA's newest local By Julian Peeples T SBEU educators' historic campaign occurred without any in-person organizing. 39 J U N E / J U L Y 2 0 2 0