Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1544915
Locals Show They Are Ready to Walk and Win By Julian Peeples T H I S S C H O O L Y E A R has shown across the state that when we strike, we win — and even the real threat of a strike can be the difference in winning at the bargaining table. Members in four locals voted to authorize strikes, organized in their communities, held art builds and pre- pared to put it all on the line to win the safe, stable and fully staffed schools their students deserve — building so much power and showing district management their commitment to each other and their students that they were able to win landmark agreements by being strike-ready. SAN DIEGO EDUCATION ASSOCIATION (6,000+ MEMBERS) Won agreement on Feb. 13 • Won 5% raise over two years • Improved Special Education staffing • No layoffs • Locked in fully paid family health care • More stability for San Diego students and families UNITED TEACHERS LOS ANGELES (30,000+ MEMBERS) Won agreement on April 11 • Fixed broken salary scales • Won average salary increase of 13.86% • Won four weeks of paid parental leave • More than 450 new counselors, social workers and school psychologists • Breakthrough Special Education agreement with first-ever 20-to-1 ratio for resource specialist teachers and planning time at schools with 80% of students in general ed setting for 80% of the day • Improved penalty pay for special education class size violations • Protections against subcontracting and Artificial Intelligence • Contractual commitments in support of immigrant students and families • Health care for substitutes after 93 days of work • Maintains Black Student Achievement Program staffing 24 cta.org Feature