Union educators across California are finishing the year up strong with big contract victories and organizing actions in districts across the state! By pushing districts to better prioritize their resources, we can improve recruitment and retention efforts and create more stability for our students. Stay tuned as 2026 is sure to bring more big wins for educators, students and our school communities.
After a historic, four-day strike, United Teachers of Richmond reached a tentative agreement that honors the sacrifices of West Contra Costa teachers, students, and parents. Because of their collective power, UTR forced the district to FIGURE IT OUT and won fully funded family healthcare, protections for international educators, recruitment and retention support for SPED educators, important class size caps, and improved wages that will attract and retain the dedicated and qualified teachers West Contra Costa students deserve. Their agreement lays the foundation for the safe and stable schools our students deserve across the state and sets a high bar for other local unions who are fighting to protect their students! Check out some of their bargaining wins here!
After months of stalled bargaining negotiations, 99% of San Francisco educators voted YES to authorize a strike vote if necessary. This would be their first strike in 49 years. United Educators of San Francisco (UESF) represents over 6,000 educators and are fighting for raises that recruit and retain quality educators, 100% health care benefit coverage, and a new special education staffing model that will provide the necessary stability for the most vulnerable students. UESF members will move through the Fact Finding process in January and are united and ready to fight for the schools' students deserve!
Whittier Elementary Teachers Association
98% of Whittier Elementary Teachers have overwhelmingly ratified their momentous tentative agreement. Some of their victories include ongoing raises, SPED class size caps, and increased support for educators and classrooms. This win is a huge step forward that reflects the organizing power they’ve created and sets the foundation to continue fighting for the safe and stable schools their students deserve.
Twin Rivers United Educators
TRUE members have been fighting for the district to appropriately fund TRUSD classrooms for years. They have found that since 2019, TRUSD has been spending less than the minimum amount legally required on classroom educators. This has resulted in over $115 million diverted away from classrooms and students. TRUE educators refuse to back down from the fight for fully-paid health care, and lower class sizes because they know it will provide the safe and stable schools their students need. They’ve had one state-mediated bargaining session this month, and are awaiting another in January.
Natomas Teachers Association
Mighty Natomas teachers are full steam ahead with their strike readiness efforts. NTA declared impasse in October, have had two mediation sessions this month and have been released to the next step in negotiations: factfinding. Also, last month, NTA delivered a resounding strike petition to their school board where 98% of the membership was assessed, and 90% voted YES to strike if necessary. NTA members are determined to win living wages, fully paid health benefits & better Special Education staffing and supports because they know instability in our schools harm students and educators alike.
United Teachers Los Angeles
After weeks with no new salary proposal from LAUSD, the district came to the last bargaining meeting with an insulting offer that proves they are not serious about reaching a contract agreement that supports educators. UTLA declared impasse to start the mediation and fact-finding process.
Madera Unified Teachers Association
Madera Unified Teachers Association is also gearing up their strike readiness efforts. Earlier this week, they held an 11-hour mediation session that did not result in any agreement. Madera unified is facing an educator recruitment and retention crisis because the district refuses to prioritize educators salaries. Year over year, educators leave for other districts and those who remain, struggle to pay their household bills. Over 90% of MUTA members have voted to authorize a strike if necessary, to fully staff the schools their students deserve.
San Diego Education Association
SDEA educators have overwhelmingly voted to authorize a 1-day Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) strike in response to the District’s ongoing violations of their current contract, specifically around Special Education understaffing. This vote was about holding the District accountable for the contract we already have and standing united to defend our students’ right to fully staffed schools. With more than 90% voting YES and participation from 88% of dues-paying members across 178 schools and programs, SDEA members sent a clear message: Educators are united, organized, and prepared to act!
Berkeley Federation of Teachers
BFT declared an impasse in negotiations on November 20th, after 17 negotiations sessions with Berkeley Unified School District (BUSD). High turnover rates, low compensation and high costs of benefits have made it difficult to recruit educators. Berkeley educators are committed to doing whatever it takes to recruit and retain quality educators in Berkeley and providing stability for our students.
Oakland Educators Association
OEA had two mediation sessions over the last week and were released to fact finding on Tuesday December 16th. Last week, OEA members held an Hour of Power Action across the district to demand the district re-prioritize it's budget to put students and classroom resources first. Currently, OUSD spends too much money on outside contractors and district administration.
