Every three years the Oakland educators’ contract expires. The teachers’ union (Oakland Education Association or OEA) and the school district (Oakland Unified School District or OUSD) bargain for nearly a year. At times they reach an agreement, but they often are forced to bring in outside mediators to settle the contract dispute. OEA and OUSD have been in contract negotiations for 9 months. They reached impasse in December 2025. Now if a neutral fact-finder isn’t able to mediate the conflict, the district could experience its third teachers’ strike in six years.
The OEA rank-and-file members have expressed great disappointment in the district that is forcing teachers to strike. Teachers know that a strike impacts the students that teachers serve, and the wider community. However, 91% of OEA members participated in a recent strike vote assessment; of the 91% that voted, 90% voted YES to strike. Oakland teachers are ready and willing to do what is necessary to prevent dangerous cuts to school budgets that directly impact the highest need students, and to win a wage increase that keeps up with soaring inflation.
Hundreds of Oakland parents, teachers, and students rallied at the OUSD school board meeting on Wednesday, January 28. The Oakland community showed its willingness to fight back no matter the stakes. There is a lot to be angry about. The district formerly projected a $100 million budget gap. Since hiring outside fiscal advisors, the district has found $50 million in three short weeks, and now OUSD is projected to end the year with about $35 million in its coffers. This is a staggering financial difference, which has led a number of OUSD parents to dig into the budget themselves to try to understand the mismanagement of funds that has prevailed in OUSD for decades.
The contract demands of OUSD and OEA are very far apart. The union has asked for a 14% raise over two years, while the district offered a 0% increase, citing OUSD’s budget constraints. The OEA union’s student-centered budget highlights outside contracts and central office management as areas to cut in order to protect budgets for education. Oakland teachers have shown their determination in the last two weeks. On February 9, OEA leadership will send an official ballot for a strike authorization. It appears that Oakland teachers will vote resoundingly YES to strike if necessary.
Times are very uncertain. Right here in Oakland. Those in power, in a so called progressive city, have always been looking for excuses to fire workers, cut budgets, and fatten the paychecks of executives. The recent firings and budget cuts to Alameda County’s public health system show that the Democratic Party is willing to use President Trump’s budget cut threats as an excuse to attack the public health system. Will Oakland’s school district follow Alameda Healthcare System’s example and attack public school teachers?
Public school teachers are fighting back all across California. Teachers in Walnut Creek recently went on strike and won a 8% raise over two years. San Francisco teachers just authorized a strike, the first in 47 years, for February 9. Let’s hope the momentum of all these school districts striking and winning will help reinforce Oakland teachers on their own picket line!
