Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1545867
Unforgettable moment: NTA and TRUE members march in strike solidarity across Sacramento's Tower Bridge. Credit: @movementphotographer REGION 2 NATOMAS TEACHERS ASSOCIATION After more than a year of bargaining, NTA's 650+ members went on strike in March for seven days, winning more than $26 million in investments toward stabilizing the district's staffing crisis — which had left more than 800 students without a permanent educator. Included in these wins were a 5.25% salary increase over two years, a pathway to fully funded health care, more prep time, support to improve classroom safety, and increased pay for teachers with high special education caseloads and class size overages. " The key to winning was building a strong local union. It was not just a few of us who stood up — it was 97% of us who voted to go on strike," said NTA President Nico Vaccaro. "All our gains came from building the strength of our union." PLUMAS COUNTY TEACHERS ASSOCIATION PCTA led a strong, community-driven "No Layoffs" campaign to protect educators and defend student learning after Plumas USD approved 32 layoffs in May. While the district is currently in state receivership, educators launched a petition and digital ad campaign calling on the state-appointed administrator to advocate for students by keeping teachers and instructional staff in schools instead of making these drastic personnel cuts. The community rallied together and the union grew in strength, united in their fight for schools. PCTA members and supporters advocate for students, schools at a February school board meeting. Striking TRUE members held firm for 12 days before agreeing to huge contractual gains with the district. Credit: @movementphotographer TWIN RIVERS UNITED EDUCATORS TRUE went on strike in March for 12 days, the longest teachers' strike in California since Oakland educators left their classrooms for 26 days in 1996. The 1,500-member local won ongoing fully paid health care; competitive salary increases of 7% over two years; a significant improvement to overage pay and sixth period pay, which will have lasting impacts on class size; improvements to speech language pathology pay scales; and improvements for early childhood education and adult ed teachers. "I'm hearing what an inspiration it was to see us hold the line and win," said TRUE President Brittoni Ward. "Winning this together and being an example for other locals across the state — If we can accomplish this, anyone can. Organize, mobilize and hold that line! This needs to be the standard we're working toward and it's really exciting." 11 S U M M E R 2 0 26