Oakland teachers, OUSD reach agreement to avoid strike

The Oakland Education Association (OEA) called off its planned strike for May 1 after reaching a tentative agreement with the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD). The union had previously announced the walkout due to the district's alleged withholding of financial information necessary for bargaining. OEA President Kampala Taiz-Rancifer urged the district to work collaboratively with the union on decisions affecting schools and families. OUSD convened a special meeting on Tuesday evening, which included closed-session discussions regarding negotiations with OEA and other labor unions. Sticking points in the talks included the number of long-term substitutes to be hired for the 2025-2026 school year and the duration of teaching contracts at specific schools.

The tentative agreement was communicated to families in a message sent Wednesday afternoon, highlighting the importance of keeping students in school as the academic year nears its end. The Alameda County Office of Education must review the agreement to ensure it aligns with the district's financial stability. Both sides expressed gratitude for finding common ground, emphasizing student welfare throughout the negotiation process.