Community Protest Rally Tonight for Alameda Teachers' New Contract

A release from Alameda Education Association:

After months of fruitless negotiations, Alameda educators are holding a large community rally at Alameda City Hall tonight to send the message that they have growing support for their struggle for respect at the bargaining table.

East Bay supporters coming to the 6 p.m. rally include Castro Valley and Fremont teachers, Alameda firefighters, and local members of the Teamsters union and United Food and Commercial Workers.

“We are so glad to have the support of the community and other local labor groups as we continue to work towards a fair contract,” said Gray Harris, president of the 524-memberAlameda Education Association. “Alameda's teachers have been to the negotiating table 23 times over the last 10 months and are hoping for the district to settle this matter quickly so that we can return to a more collaborative relationship. Teachers need to feel valued and respected for the work they do every day in our classrooms.” 

Alameda educators – among the lowest paid in Alameda County – have not had a raise since 2008 despite the Alameda Unified School District having an unrestricted ending balance at the end of the last school year of more than $21 million.

They declared a bargaining impasse earlier this month after the district offered a new compensation proposal that was worse than an earlier one. Educators are only seeking a 4.5 percent raise over two years.

• WHAT: Community rally of East Bay teachers, parents, Alameda firefighters, UFCW and Teamster union members to support the fight by Alameda educators for a fair contract.

• WHEN and WHERE:  The rally will take place at 6 p.m. tonight, Tuesday, Feb. 26, at Alameda City Hall, 2263 Santa Clara Ave.

The Alameda Education Association is affiliated with the 325,000-member California Teachers Association and the 3.2 million-member National Education Association.