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Teachers in the West Contra Costa Unified School District reached a tentative agreement with district officials early Wednesday morning featuring wage increases, fully paid family healthcare, and program enhancements, according to statements from both sides.
The agreement was reached after a 12-hour bargaining session that stretched past 2 a.m., bringing to a close 10 months of contract talks and several days of picketing. The deal still requires ratification by United Teachers of Richmond members and formal approval by the school board.
Teacher strike begins at West Contra Costa Unified School District schools
West Contra Costa Unified School District teachers began picketing at school sites Thursday morning as union leaders continued pressing for higher wages and the addressing of other sticking points from the district. Children arriving for school were met by teachers holding picket signs, some of whom positioned themselves at campus
Linda Hemmila
Union president Francisco Ortiz told members that the agreement “lays a foundation for the safe and stable schools our students deserve,” and credited what he called the “collective power” of educators, students and families for pushing the district to resolve the dispute.
According to the union, the tentative agreement includes:
- An 8 percent wage increase over two years for all educators.
- Fully paid family healthcare by June 30, 2027.
- Increases to salary schedules for special education teachers, intended to reduce reliance on contractors and expand permanent in-person staffing.
- Retention bonuses for newly hired educators who are WCCUSD graduates and for new special education teachers.
- A class-size cap of 25 students in the district’s International Academy.
- New protections and support for international teachers, including district-sponsored pathways to permanent residency for educators who earn clear credentials.
- Commitments to classroom safety, including adequate space for special education programs, temperature-control standards in new modernization projects and a plan for improvements to existing facilities.
Ortiz said the improvements are aimed at addressing long-standing staffing shortages and stabilizing classrooms, including, according to the union, more than 70 vacant classrooms across the district.
District officials confirmed the tentative agreement in a message to the community, saying it was framed around the board’s most recent counterproposal and includes “salary and healthcare increases in addition to addressing several other contractual items.”
The district said more details will be released on its negotiations webpage.
Schools will remain open on Wednesday, and normal operations will resume on Thursday. Teachers were invited to return to campuses on Wednesday to collect classroom materials and prepare for students’ return.
“Tomorrow, we will begin the process of returning to work with our heads held high,” Ortiz said. “Educators may return to school with pay tomorrow to retrieve their laptops and keys and can take the day to prepare. We can’t wait to see our students Thursday morning.”
“We are relieved that the strike is over and our students and teachers will be reunited in the classroom on Thursday,” the district said.
The union said ratification steps will begin on Wednesday.
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