More California teachers strike over pay

OAKLAND, Calif. — Teachers in Oakland, Calif., went on strike Thursday, the latest job action by educators over classroom conditions, pay and other issues. Other walkouts have taken place in West Virginia, Los Angeles and Denver. The walkout affects 36,000 students at 86 schools. The city’s 3,000 teachers want a 12 percent retroactive raise covering 2017 to 2020 to compensate for what they say are among the lowest salaries for public school teachers in the expensive San Francisco Bay Area. They also want the district to hire more counselors to support students and more full-time nurses.

Oakland Education Association President Keith Brown said educators were forced to strike because administrators did not listen to their demands for two years.

“For two years we have been negotiating with the Oakland Unified School District to make our students a priority over outside consultants and central office administrators,” Brown said.

The district initially offered a 5 percent raise covering 2017 to 2020, saying it is squeezed by rising costs and a budget crisis. On Wednesday, the district increased its proposal to a 7 percent raise over four years and a one-time 1.5 percent bonus. But union officials rejected the offer.

Oakland Unified School District spokesman John Sasaki said school administrators hope to get a counter proposal from the union when negotiations resume Friday.

A starting salary in the district is $46,500 a year and the average salary is $63,000, according to the union.

AP/JEFF CHIU Striking teachers and their supporters rally Thursday in front of City Hall in Oakland, Calif.