Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1509126
and two-tiered salar y schedules for teachers; its proposals would have l eft 40 p erc ent of th e b ar - g a i n i n g u n i t c o m p l e t e ly o u t of additional compensation. OUSD wanted to connect evaluations to test scores and continue micromanaging us. It completely rejected adding any additional full-time employees and rejected all our common good demands — including support for Black students, shared governance over funding at the school site level, and safety at school facilities. A rank-and-file Bargaining Communications Committee developed new strategies to keep members engaged. One com- mittee member created a website where, at the end of every bargaining session, members could see any proposals put forth by the district and OEA. Another developed a format for a short text-message update that she sent out to her school staff after every session. e com- mittee soon adopted this as a formal communication sent out by all bargaining team reps. Joined the lines The strike reinvigorated members in unexpected ways. New leaders emerged through the strike and picket captain trainings; the new levels of engagement surprised even veteran organizers. "I really didn't want to go on strike and was feeling very ner- vous about it," said elementary teacher Lindsey Pothast. "e joy and unity of the strike was incredibly healing, however. " Teaching during and post-lockdown has been extremely hard, isolating and demoralizing. Being on the picket line reminded me that there's so much that we can do to change things when we come together." Ev er y m or nin g b efore h ea din g into b argainin g, e v er y member of the bargaining team joined several picket lines to connect with members and counteract the district's lies and propaganda. And at the midday rallies, a small contingent from the bargaining team was always present to report any updates from the table. is daily contact between members and bargainers became a key source of strength that helped both groups find the strength to keep holding the line. Inspired by strike After 21 days of marathon bargaining and the strike, we reached a tentative agreement that made strides toward dignity in teaching and learning conditions (see sidebar). Nearly every classification of worker in OEA, not just classroom teachers, could speak to improvements relevant to their daily work. Going back into the classroom after the strike was "thera- peutic," said fifth-grade teacher Tim Douglas, one of the union's b a r g a i n i n g c o - c h a i r s . " I f e l t re-inspired by w hat we had col- lectively accomplished as a union and as a community. " We heard from OEA members across the district that this tentative agreement was a reason for them to stay, even after strongly considering leaving the district. is means that we will be able to retain experienced teachers here in Oakland, and that students will have experienced teach- ers welcome them on their first day back in the fall." Vilma Serrano is an early elementary teacher-on-special- assignment and elected executive board member of OEA. Tim Marshall is a 26-year veteran teacher and co-lead of a union cluster. is story originally appeared in Labor Notes. What We Won • Across-the-board salary increases ranging from 15% to 20% • Additional full-time employee allocations for school counselors, nurses, teacher- librarians and visual and performing arts teachers • Class-size reduction for middle school physical education classes • More incentives for substitute teachers • Additional support for newcomer students What we won to help us build worker power: • Increased rank-and-file engagement, led by newly developing organizers on the bargaining committee • More democratic participation into the bargaining process • Stronger and more efficient site-to-leadership communication throughout bargaining and during the strike Common good wins: • More direct investments at our schools with higher percentages of Black students • Shared decision-making over community schools funding • Commitment from the district to support free transportation for all students • A one-year engagement and equity impact analysis for schools going through a school closure process "Being on the picket line reminded me that there's so much that we can do to change things when we come together." —OEA member Lindsey Pothast 37 O C T O B E R / N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 3