Oakland Schools News: OUSD And OEA Reach Tentative Distance Learning Oriented Labor Agreement
ONN – Oakland Schools News: OUSD And OEA Reach Tentative Distance Learning Oriented Labor Agreement
From OUSD:
Oakland – After working for more than a month to reach a deal, Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) and the Oakland Education Association (OEA), the teachers’ union, announced on Wednesday, August 12 that they arrived at a tentative agreement on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in an overnight bargaining session. The two sides say the deal regarding distance learning prioritizes teacher flexibility as well as a quality learning experience for students with consistent live interaction with their teachers and other OEA members. That’s in spite of the unprecedented challenges we are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 2020-21 school year began in full distance learning on Monday, August 10 for all students. OUSD and OEA were negotiating about the impacts of the pandemic and Governor Gavin Newsom’s planned response to it in support of more than 2,000 teachers, nurses, counselors and other OEA members who support our students.
“While we do not always agree on the details, both OEA and OUSD are passionate about serving Oakland’s students and families,” said Superintendent Kyla Johnson-Trammell and OEA President, Keith Brown in a joint statement. “We have worked diligently to reach an agreement to shape distance learning for all students and OEA members. We thank all students, families, staff and the entire community for their support and patience during this challenging time.”
As the two sides are currently fine-tuning some of the details of the agreement, we are unable to release any additional information at this time. The MOU will be voted on by OEA members and the OUSD Board of Education over the next week or so. If it is ratified, students and families can look forward to seeing the hard work of OEA and OUSD’s bargaining teams pay off in the virtual classroom setting. More information will be released in the coming days.
Stay tuned.
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