Photo by Brooke Anderson
Right now thousands of school workers, families, and community members are joining United Teachers of Richmond’s picket lines to demand safe, stable, and fully staffed public schools here in West Contra Costa County.
Eight months ago, educators at the district’s 50 campuses began negotiating a new two-year contract with West Contra Costa County school officials. After the union declared an impasse in August, two negotiations mediated by a third party failed to yield an agreement. As a part of that process, a neutral fact-finding committee made its recommendations for a compromise between West Contra Costa Unified and the teachers’ union last week. The district’s offer, however, proposed a lower wage hike than the report recommended, prompting United Teachers of Richmond to call an indefinite strike.
Environmental justice extends beyond our right to healthy air, soil and water — it also means healthy, safe and just learning environments. Now more than ever, it is crucial that our community comes together to support West Contra Costa students, teachers, and families that are fighting for a better future for our schools and students.
You can support by joining the picket line, signing the petition, and taking other actions on UTR’s website.