EAST BAY – On Wednesday, for the first time in the history of the East Bay, the East Bay Coalition for Student Success (EBCSS), made up of 21 California Teachers Association (CTA) chapters, held coordinated pickets across multiple locations to advocate for the needs of East Bay students.
In particular, the Association of Pleasanton Teachers and Dublin Teachers Association rallied at the same location as they are both gearing up for fact-finding, the last step after parties reach impasse in the collective bargaining process after which the local chapter leadership can legally call an economic strike.
Many other East Bay chapters who participated in the rally, such as the Antioch Education Association, Pittsburg Education Association, Contra Costa County Schools Education Association, Clayton Valley Education Association, Martinez Education Association, Association of Piedmont Teachers, John Swett Education Association and Moraga Teachers Association are not far behind in this process. Chapters are also considering Unfair Labor Practice strikes depending on management’s actions through these processes. Management from various districts are putting up barriers to reaching negotiated agreements, which means that many chapters may be strike legal at the same time. Multiple strikes would impact thousands of students in the East Bay.
“Our students deserve full-staffed schools, individualized attention and educators who won’t leave the district because they can’t afford to live in the place where they teach. The amount of support we received today from our families and community allies shows that we are united for the schools our students deserve,” said Celia Medina-Owens, President of the Pittsburg Education Association and EBCSS member.
EBCSS is a student-centered coalition that strives to bring across-the-board demands for students: the best resources, smaller class sizes so every student gets the attention they deserve, and retaining and attracting the best educators. It’s a movement with the guiding principle that all students deserve a supportive environment, with the tools and conditions they need to thrive.
The East Bay Coalition for Student Success is made up of several chapters, which are affiliated with the 310,000-member California Teachers Association and the 3 million-member National Education Association
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