Teamsters Settle

Teamsters picketed Dec. 4 at El Cerrito High School

The West Contra Costa Unified School District reached a new tentative agreement today (Dec. 7) with Teamsters Local 856, the union that represents about 1,500 classified employees. These include cafeteria workers, security staff, school secretaries, paraprofessionals, custodians, occupational therapists, glaziers, locksmiths, carpenters, welders, and plumbers.

The agreement was announced in a WCCUSD news release which also stated that Teamsters plan to return to work Monday (Dec. 8).

Livable El Cerrito was not able to confirm a return-to-work plan with Local 856.

There was no new announcement about negotiations with the United Teachers of Richmond (UTR). At 1 a.m. today after many hours of talks, UTR President Francisco Ortiz announced that progress had been made in negotiations on Saturday and that bargaining would continue today.

Today’s WCCUSD news release did not mention progress in UTR talks today. It said:

“The district remains committed to reaching a settlement with UTR so that this strike can come to a full close. Our goal is to return all employees and students to their classrooms and refocus our collective efforts on teaching and learning. We recognize the work ahead to strengthen relationships and ensure our organization is positioned to support all employees in advancing the success and well-being of every child we serve.”