Oakland teachers announce strike date

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Sunday, February 17, 2019
Oakland teachers announce strike date
Teachers in Oakland announced that they will go on strike next week.

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Teachers in Oakland announced that they will go on strike next week.

They had been waiting for a key report from the state that came out Friday. The state's full report can be seen here.

At a meeting at the Oakland Education Association office in Oakland, teachers announced they will strike on Thursday, February 21.

"Bargaining with the district has not -- in two years -- produced an agreement that will pay teachers enough to allow them to stay in Oakland, or make class sizes more conducive to teaching and learning, or provide our students with the supports they need to thrive," Oakland Education Association President Keith Brown said.

Teachers have been threatening to strike for months saying goes to years of neglect and overspending by the district.

RELATED: Sickout day called by Oakland students to show support for teachers

The three main points the Oakland Education Association is fighting for are smaller class size, more counselors and nurses for students, and a 12-percent raise over the next three years.

The Oakland Unified School District said in a statement they were hopeful the teachers would continue negotiations.

The City of Oakland has said it will provide safe spaces at 15 recreation centers and all public libraries to support Oakland families affected by the strike.

The Oakland Parks, Recreation and Youth Development Department will open the Allendale, Arroyo Viejo, Brookdale, Bushrod, Carmen Flores, DeFremery, Dimond, Ira Jenkins, FM Smith, Franklin, Golden Gate, Manzanita, Montclair, San Antonio, Redwood Heights, and Mosswood facilities from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Volunteers will help facilitate the days for students and provide food.