Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1533049
Oakland Education Assn., United Teachers of Richmond, Berkeley Federation of Teachers and United Teachers of San Francisco at the launch rally at Oscar Grant Plaza in Oakland. Support our students, staff our schools WE CAN'T WAIT! E V E R Y S T U D E N T D E S E R V E S fully staffed and resourced schools. Every educator deserves a living wage that reflects their vital role in our communities. e reality, unfortunately, is very different. Our union aims to change that. On Feb. 4, more than 80,000 educators across California launched "We Can't Wait," a campaign involving CTA locals' shared demands and coordinated negotiations with 32 school districts. Educators from Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Oakland, Anaheim, Sacramento, Richmond and two dozen other school districts — who teach and serve 1 million students — participated. "It's unacceptable that in the "Golden State," with its vast wealth and resources, our communities struggle with fully staffing our neighborhood schools," said CTA President David Goldberg at the kickoff press conference in Sacramento. "is is why educators are coordinating to take a stand statewide. Together with parents, students and our communities, we demand that districts prioritize resources for our students and ensure California leads the country in providing a quality public education for every student." Participating locals' shared demands include: • Fully staffed schools, with smaller class sizes and caseloads • Safe and stable schools, with no layoffs, budget cuts or school closures • Competitive wages and benefits for educators, to match the essential role they play in society While locals will bargain separately with their districts, the campaign aligns bargaining sessions during the same time period this spring and early summer, with many locals' contracts expiring at the end of June 2025. Multiple locals negotiating contracts at the same time will bring heightened public awareness and support for educators, students and schools, and also put pressure on the state. e goal is to give students and educators what they need and deserve — long term. 14 cta.org Feature