Teamsters Will Strike Too

Teamsters at a school board meeting in September.

West Contra Costa School District employees represented by Teamsters Local 856 have rejected the tentative agreement offered to them by district administration.

They plan to strike Thursday, Dec. 4, as do the 1,450 members of the United Teachers of Richmond (UTR). UTR announced Monday night that its members will begin a strike on Thursday.

The Teamsters’ vote was 52.77% to reject and 47.23% to accept a tentative agreement that was negotiated last week with union leadership, according to a bulletin obtained Tuesday night by Livable El Cerrito.

Teamsters 856 represents about 1,500 employees and virtually all the district’s classified employees. Among them are school secretaries and office staff, paraprofessionals, custodians, cafeteria workers, occupational therapists, glaziers, locksmiths, carpenters, welders, and plumbers.

“While the vote results were mixed, it is imperative that ALL Teamsters stand together on the picket line so that we can win together,” the bulletin said. “More information on strike logistics,, strike benefits, and picket line shifts will be provided tomorrow.”

Can City Provide Before and After School Care?

Also on Tuesday night, El Cerrito Assistant City Manager Alexandra Orologas told the City Council that she and Recreation Director Chris Jones had just gotten off the phone with WCCUSD Superintendent Cheryl Cotton.

They were trying to clarify whether city-run programs that provide before- and after-school care in facilities on school property can continue during a strike. This affects Harding, Fairmont, and Madera elementary schools along with Korematsu Middle School. Orologas and Jones checked with Cotton on whether the city-run programs could continue. There was also concern that city employees would not be asked to cross picket lines.

No conclusion was reached, but City Council members will be informed as more information is obtained, Orologas said.

Superintendent’s Statement

Earlier Tuesday, Superintendent Cotton issued a press release responding to UTR’s strike announcement from Monday night.

“This news is difficult for all of us, but I want to be very clear: our schools will stay open during the strike, and we are prepared to support every student who comes to school.”

She reiterated that students who ask will be provided with breakfast and lunch whether they attend school or not.

Cotton said in the news release that she has been in her position less than six months and has “listened closely” to teachers.

“I share their concerns about keeping our schools fully staffed, improving pay so teachers want to stay, reducing the cost of outside services, and giving stronger support to all students, including those with special needs,” Cotton wrote.

“But a strike will not fix these problems,” she continued. “A strike takes teachers out of classrooms, harms relationships, and can make it harder to keep strong educators.”

For more information about school operations, Cotton referred community members to www.wccusd.net.

Earlier in the week, she said in a video that parents will be receiving more detailed information from the principal at each school.