Oakland teachers set for 1-day strike Thursday over financial documents related to budget cuts
OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- The Oakland Unified School District is set to see another strike Thursday after teachers informed them they would be walking off the job.
The union that represents Oakland teachers claims OUSD is withholding important financial information regarding the impact of previously approved budget cuts.
At a school board meeting Tuesday night, both parents and teachers came to express their frustrations.
"They're disrupting the classroom at a time when it's important for the students and the schools. And I think they can achieve the same end goal via different means," said OUSD parent David Reiman.
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Reiman has two students in the district.
He says while he supports his local teachers, he worries about the effects the strike could have on his children.
But many teachers say all they're asking for is transparency amid uncertain times as the district faces a multi-million dollar deficit.
"Even goes so far as to approve cuts to both classified and certified jobs, as well as cut our wages. And when we ask for further information about why these decisions have been made, the district refuses to hand over any of that information," said one teacher who identified himself as Jorge.
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OUSD says it remains committed to transparency with the union - writing, "we strongly believe this is not a reason to disrupt student learning."
In a statement to ABC7 News, the teachers' union says a strike could still be avoided.
The union writing:
"The Oakland Education Association remains committed to protecting classroom stability- and stands ready to work with the district to reach an agreement that averts a one-day strike in the coming days."
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All of this comes during a difficult time for OUSD.
Last week, the school board voted to end Superintendent Kyla Johnson-Trammell's contract early, a move that divided the school board.
Now many worry a strike could further destabilize the district and even hurt its chances of getting out of receivership.
MORE: Oakland Unified votes to issue layoffs, eliminate up to 100 full-time positions
All the more reason, parents like Reiman wish the two sides could find some way to negotiate.
"Oakland is seeing declining enrollment. From what I can tell online that enrollment is declining faster than Oakland is losing population, which tells me that people are voting with their feet," Reiman said.
MORE: Oakland parents at odds over whether 'common good' goals should be in teacher contracts
Thursday, May 1, is International Workers Day, also known as May Day, and is a day when workers' rights protests are often planned.
This will be the fourth strike from Oakland teachers since 2019.
The district says despite the planned strike, schools will remain open on Thursday.
