Oakland Teachers Approve Strike as Pay Deemed 'Not Competitive'

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The Oakland Unified School District's teachers union voted to authorize a strike after nearly a year of unsuccessful contract talks. The union is demanding a 12% to 14% raise over two years, contending that its educators are the lowest paid among 10 comparable districts and that OUSD has one of the highest staff turnover rates in the state. However, OUSD has said it doesn't have enough money to fund the union's requested wage hikes and instead proposed smaller raises.

Why it matters

The ongoing contract dispute between OUSD and its teachers' union highlights the broader challenges facing public school districts across California, as they grapple with declining enrollment, budget shortfalls, and the need to retain and attract quality educators in high-cost-of-living areas.

The details

Last week, the Oakland Unified School District and OEA wrapped up a state-mandated mediation process without a deal. The two sides are at odds over wage increases and class sizes, among other issues. The union is demanding a 12% to 14% raise over two years, contending that its educators are the lowest paid among 10 comparable districts and that OUSD has one of the highest staff turnover rates in the state. OUSD, like other districts, has said it doesn't have enough money to fund the union's requested wage hikes and instead proposed smaller raises of 2.5% in 2026 and up to 5.5% in two phases in 2027.

• The Oakland Unified School District and OEA have been bargaining since March 2025.
• The two sides have been at an impasse since November 2025.
• OEA educators have been working under an expired contract since June 2025.

What’s next

The school board is set to vote this week on whether to issue nearly 400 preliminary layoff notices to staff, including 180 OEA members.