Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1512793
during and after the strike. "At school board meet- ings it was a sea of red," says James Gregoretti, the bargaining chair during that time, referring to the Red for Ed campaign. RPCEA was in constant communication with mem- bers about their concerns and issues, and Gregoretti says professional wages were always the top priority. "Parents and community members stopped us on the street and shared their support. They wanted the best for their kids, and having qualified, well-paid teachers is part of that." Ultimately, RPCEA prevailed with a 16.38% salary raise and two $1,000 stipends. Gregoretti's bargain- ing advice: "Stick to your guns. Numbers don' t lie. Public education has had historic funding the last few years, and today's dollars are meant for today's teachers and today's students. Use the money for education now, not further down the road. Take care of teachers first." Says Tranfaglia, " The economic gains in salary have helped to attract and retain educators to our beloved school district." In the year of the strike, the district management fiscal projections were off by more than $14 million. The failure to project accurately has become a trend. For 2022–23, the district's adopted budget projected $80.4 million in total revenues. The revenues were actually $99 million — a nearly $20 million difference. While the district administrators may need a lesson in fiscal management, RPCEA educators are paying attention and are staying organized for their next bar- gain in 2025. "Our local labor movement was ignited and we have a strong labor coalition in Sonoma County. We learned that when we show up for each other, great things happen," Tranfaglia recalls. "It took us six days to reach a tentative agreement , Although it was exhausting, difficult and stressful, it was such a beautiful moment. Our strike line community had deep conversations and it strengthened our association and community. Students learned an important lesson: You can stand up for your rights and do it peacefully." As it turns out, teachers on strike are still teaching. proposal changed .2% since last spring. HCFA members are prepared to go do whatever it takes for their students who deserve qualified and respected instructors, and for their community. "A strike is a last resort, and HCFA members did not take that decision lightly in 2006," Contreras noted. "However, we believe that it is necessary to protect the quality of education that our students deserve. As teachers in a Hispanic Serving Institution, we are committed to providing our students with the best possible education. This includes providing them with small class sizes so that they can receive the individual attention they need to succeed. It also includes paying our teachers fair wages and providing everyone with health care benefits so that we can retain and attract the most quali- fied applicants. "I never thought we'd be here again," said Locke. "We were able to do it before and we'll do it again if we have to. Our community deserves better. The board isn't thinking about the community, otherwise they 'd settle this contract." Contreras agrees. "We are the lowest paid faculty in the region, and you, Board of Trustees, let this happen under your watch. What kind of message are you sending our students? Don't they deserve to have the most qualified teachers? Why aren't you willing to invest in our community 's education by attracting and retaining the most qualified faculty? When a teacher leaves for a higher paying position, our students suffer the consequences. Their classes are filled with last-minute replacements or even cancelled, and this jeopardizes our students' chances to succeed and potentially delays their graduation date. "Remember," she added, "when teachers work together, students win! Hartnell Continued from Page 20 Rohnert Park-Cotati Continued from Page 21 "Our students and community came out in strong numbers to support us! This showed that our community values education and it gave us strength to know that we were not alone." —Leti Contreras, Hartnell College Faculty Association 22 cta.org Feature