News Update

Oakland teachers union declares impasse, calls for state mediation over reopening agreement

The Oakland Education Association, the teachers union for Oakland Unified, declared an impasse today in its negotiations with the district over reopening schools.

An impasse is a formal declaration that one party of a negotiation doesn’t think further discussions would be productive and that state mediation is needed.

The union alleges that the district made “unilateral changes” to special education workloads, preparation time for teachers, accommodations for child care, leave time for teachers with family members who are at risk of Covid-19 and changes to remote instruction.

“These last remaining issues must be addressed through the bargaining process,” said Keith Brown, president of the teachers union. “The OUSD’s decision to ignore them has brought us to this impasse. Now is the time to address them.”

The union membership will participate in a “Vote of No Confidence in OUSD’s Reopening Plan.” The results of the vote will be made public April 19.

Oakland Schools reopened to its youngest students on March 30, with 3rd- through 5th-grade students returning April 19.