Top Takeaways Teachers unions across California are rallying for higher pay and better benefits. A win for striking teachers in West Contra Costa Unified is emboldening other teachers unions. Teachers in multiple districts are ready to strike if contract demands are not met. From Los Angeles to Sacramento, teachers unions, many fueled by the “We Can’t Wait” campaign organized by the California Teachers Association and a slew of contract renewals, are rallying for higher pay, better benefits, smaller class sizes and other classroom improvements. Some are threatening to strike. In the West Contra Costa Unified School District, the call for improved pay and benefits, and classroom improvements, resulted in a six-day strike by the district’s 1,450 teachers that ended earlier this month. The teachers won an 8% pay raise over two years and will no longer have to pay health premiums. The strike is emboldening other teachers unions that are at an impasse with their districts over contract negotiations. “We are leading a historic wave of resistance to demand safe staffing, affordable health care and student-centered budgets, and local chapters are organizing to strike if needed,” said David Goldberg, president of the California Teachers Association (CTA). “Richmond showed us exactly what is possible: When we stand up for what schools educators and students deserve, we can transform public education.” Los Angeles Unified, San Francisco Unified, Oakland Unified, Berkeley Unified, Madera Unified, Evergreen School District, Little Lake City, Upper Lake Unified, Duarte Unified, Newport-Mesa Unified, Oak Grove Union, Apple Valley Unified, Twin…
