OAKLAND (KRON) — The Oakland teacher’s strike got underway today as 85 percent of teachers stood on the picket lines in protest of low wages and a lack of student resources in Oakland Unified.
The teachers’ union is expected to meet with district negotiators tomorrow at 9 a.m., but the union says teachers will still continue their strike into a second day.
Keith Brown, president of the Oakland Educators Association, spoke Thursday evening on the why teachers are striking and what they’re are asking for.
Brown said many Oakland educators work second jobs and drive for Uber and Lyft to make ends meet. Oakland teachers are asking for a 12 percent raise to counteract the financial burden — a demand the district hasn’t been able to meet.
On Wednesday, the district upped its original raise offer of 5 percent with a raise of 8.5 percent — which was still struck down by educators.
Teachers will be back on the picket lines at 6:30 a.m. Friday at all 86 schools in the Oakland Unified School District. There will be a rally at 11:30 a.m. in West Oakland.
“Strikes are won on the streets, not at the bargaining table,” Brown said. “So we need strong lines like we had today.”
The association president reiterated tonight the appreciation they have for their students and the parents of students.
“Students, this strike is to improve education for you,” Brown said. “This strike is to make sure you are at the center, to make sure we have lower class sizes and [you have] the needed support to succeed.”
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