Oakland teachers went on strike Thursday morning in the country’s latest walkout by educators over classroom conditions and pay.
Do you have questions about the strike and its potential impacts? Check out the breakdown below for answers to some common strike-related questions:
Who's involved?
The strike involves the Oakland Unified School District and the Oakland Education Association, which is the union that represents nearly 3,000 teachers, counselors, nurses, psychologists, librarians, speech pathologists, social workers and substitute teachers in the district.
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What are striking teachers asking for?
Teachers are demanding a 12 percent retroactive raise covering 2017 to 2020. They also want the district to hire more counselors to support students and more full-time nurses.
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How much do OUSD teachers currently make?
A teacher’s starting salary in the district is $46,500 a year and the average salary is $63,000, according to the union. By comparison, a starting teacher makes $51,000 a year in neighboring Berkeley and the average salary is $75,000, the union said.
Initially, the district offered a 5 percent raise covering 2017 to 2020, saying it is squeezed by rising costs and a budget crisis.
Will schools remain open during the strike?
Yes. Schools in the district will still be open during the strike. Students are expected to show up for class. The walkout affects 36,000 students at 86 schools.
What should students expect to experience during the strike?
The district says school will not be "school as usual" during the strike. Principals, staff and temporary emergency teachers will be responsible for teaching and supervising students. Temporary teachers won't necessarily continue teaching regular teachers' scheduled lesson plans, but they will be able to use "appropriate instructional plans" that principals have access to, according to the district.
Will students still have access to school meals?
Yes. Lunch will be provided by OUSD Nutrition Services during the strike. Breakfast options will be "simplified," according to the district.
What's the status of after-school programs?
According to the district, all state and federally funded after-school programs will continue to operate during the strike.
Additional information about the strike can be found on the Oakland Unified School District website.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
