Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1500904
" This has never simply been about us being able to put food on our own tables, but making sure we are able to provide not only services but shift the way we provide instruction, to feed the minds of these students," said OEA 2nd Vice President Kampala Taiz-Rancifer. Credit: Brooke Anderson "Being able to form friendships and relationships is what brought us to the finish line with the strongest agreement possible," said Rachel Martin (above, center), elementary school educator, OEA bargaining team member and communications co-chair. "We went into this with a big dream to make Oakland better, and I feel we planted the roots to continue to grow." Said Samia Khattab, teacher librarian and OEA bargaining team member, "We were advocating for more school psychologists, more counselors, secondary teacher librarians, a workload model [addressing] increasing responsibilities of special ed teachers, smaller class sizes, and common good language that puts power in the hands of families, students and community to make decisions that impact them every day." good faith and come to an agreement. Picket lines grew stronger every day of the strike, with allies, families, students and elected officials coming in support. Writer/director Boots Riley made an appearance. ousands marched; the streets were filled with music and talent courtesy of OEA music and dance teachers. After seven days on strike, OEA won an historic agreement that includes a 15.5 percent salary increase for most teachers with an even greater percentage increase for new teachers to prioritize recruitment. Included are retroactive pay and bilingual stipends for teachers with dual language aptitudes. e agree- ment also addresses the social and educational reforms that are common good priorities, and calls for more school librarians, guidance counselors and school nurses. For the first time, OUSD will employ guidance counselors at the elementary school level. On May 23, the 2.5-year tentative agreement was ratified with a 90% yes vote, with 72% of OEA members participating. Find details at oaklandea.org. Picket lines grew stronger every day of the strike; thousands marched. 31 J U N E / J U L Y 2 0 2 3