Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1543424
From San Diego to NorCal, Educators Say 'We Can't Wait!' Locals are organizing to win for students and public schools By Julian Peeples U N I O N E D U C A T O R S are organizing, taking action together across the state and saying "We Can't Wait!" for the safe, stable and fully staffed public schools students deserve. On the heels of the inspiring strike victories by United Teachers of Richmond in December (see previous story) and United Educators of San Francisco in February, several WCW locals are currently at impasse and preparing to strike for the resources their students deserve. Here's an update: United Educators of San Francisco (UESF) After 11 months of bargaining, UESF members went on strike on Feb. 9 for the first time in 50 years. In an incredible show of strength and unity, thou- sands of educators, families and community members walked picket lines, marched in the streets and rallied in the rain. On Feb. 13, UESF reached a tentative agreement with San Francisco Unified that will give educators fully funded health care, improved wages, special education supports, sanctuary and housing protections for SF Unified families and more. The historic strike built an unbreakable solidarity across the city that made clear what we can do when we join together to fight. "None of this would have been possible without the thousands of you who showed up to our board actions, signed petitions to commit to our cam- paign, wrote letters to our Board of Education, and showed up to support your big bargaining team," UESF leaders said. Follow UESF on Facebook at @UESF61 and Instagram at @unitededucatorsofsf. United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) More than 94% of UTLA members voted early this year to authorize a strike after 11 months of negotiations yielded little progress. Educators are demanding a living wage, among other critical issues. With bargaining at impasse, UTLA is organizing to win the resources and supports all Los Angeles students deserve. UTLA won an agreement on healthcare, which members ratified last month. Follow UTLA on Facebook and Insta- gram at @UTLANow. 26 cta.org Feature