While 2018 was a pivotal year for teacher activism, with large-scale strikes in six states and more protests around the country, there鈥檚 been some question as to whether momentum would continue into the new year.
So far, though, we know at least a few places where labor actions are likely to happen:
- Los Angeles teachers After 20 months of contract disputes with the district, the union鈥攚hich was seeking a 6.5 percent pay raise retroactive to July 2016, class-size reductions, fewer required tests, and more support staff鈥攁nnounced teachers would stop work a few days after students return from winter break. The district鈥檚 final offer included a smaller raise and class-size reductions in some schools, which the union called 鈥渋nsulting.鈥� This will be the first strike in the district in 30 years.
- Teachers in Oakland, Calif., are also preparing for a possible strike. On Dec. 19, the union鈥檚 executive board gave the president the power to call a strike-authorization vote, which is the first step in the process. Oakland teachers have been working without a contract since July 2017 and are , reports EdSource. The district offered a 5 percent increase and some class-size reductions. Negotiations are ongoing, but according to the , the union is planning a rally for Jan. 12 (a Saturday) and has collected more than $11,000 for a strike fund. And dozens of teachers at , not sanctioned by the union, several weeks ago, KQED reported. Oakland has just 2,300 teachers, compared to .
Ms. Roz贸 is fighting for the schools her students deserve. We are Oakland Teachers. We are .
Join us on January 12th, Frank Ogawa Plaza at 12pm for the East Bay Rally To Fund Public Education.
鈥� Oakland Education Association (@OaklandEA)
- In Virginia, teachers across the state are . The grassroots group 鈥淰irginia Educators United鈥� is organizing the gathering, and if enough teachers participate it could shut down schools. Educators there are asking for pay to increase to the national average and for better pay for support professionals. Virginia is home to about 90,000 teachers.
We鈥檒l keep an eye on other places the #RedforEd movement may be spreading in the early months of 2019 as well, so check back for updates.