08 Oct West Contra Costa Unified Teachers Union Begins Strike Authorization Vote

United Teachers of Richmond members protested recent staff cuts at Feb. 12 West Contra Costa school board meeting. (Monica Velez / EdSource)

By Samantha Kennedy

A proposed 0% raise on top of uncompetitive wages. Unmoving negotiations. Accusations of underspending and manufacturing a budgetary crisis. Members of the United Teachers of Richmond say it might be time for a strike. And they now have the chance to give the official OK. 

Union members, who include West Contra Costa Unified School District teachers, began voting Monday on whether or not they’ll go on strike after failing to come to a new agreement with the district. 

Members have until Oct. 14 at 5 p.m. to vote on the possibility of a strike, union President Francisco Ortiz said. 

“This is our moment to stand together for a just contract, for our students, and for each other,” Ortiz said, announcing the vote on social media. 

UTR’s vote comes almost two months after the union declared impasse on negotiations with the district on Aug. 19, according to filings with the California Public Employment Relations Board. 

Union members have called on the district to offer competitive wages for teachers, smaller class sizes, and increased staffing. 

UTR’s contract lapsed June 30, leaving educators with pay rates agreed to under that contract. The union says the district has offered a 0% raise.

Speaking to the San Pablo City Council soon after UTR’s announcement, Superintendent Cheryl Cotton didn’t mention the union’s vote. But she did mention the district’s efforts to be transparent with the community and union partners since the impasse had been declared, “budgetarily”-speaking, as she put it.

WCCUSD’s most recent round of cuts slashed dozens of positions, which spurred backlash from students and teachers. The district is facing a multiyear budget deficit, forcing it to abide by a plan to keep local control of its finances. 

On Sept. 2, Teamsters Local 856, which represents classified staff including paraprofessionals and those in food services, also declared impasse on its negotiations with the district, according to PERB filings. 

Hercules City Council member Alexander Walker-Griffin, who spoke in support of the union at the Sept. 25 school board meeting, shared his support for the vote. 

“Whatever yall need, I got your back,” Walker-Griffin responded to UTR on Instagram on Monday.