A new contract for OUSD support staff raises the district’s lowest salaries

After 10 months of negotiations, the union representing lots of the Oakland Unified College District’s help workers has secured a considerable pay improve — sufficient that some district workers will now earn a residing wage for the primary time.

In December, the OUSD chapter of Service Staff Worldwide Union Native 1021 reached a tentative settlement with the district that offers all members a 16% pay improve over two years and units a minimal wage of $25 per hour. The union represents practically 20% of the district’s workforce – about 1,000 staff – whose job titles vary from case managers, attendance specialists and early literacy academics to library technicians and tradition and local weather screens (previously often called security officers).

“This can be a honest and dignified contract that we are able to all be happy with, made potential by the help of our members and different bargaining models,” Trish Belenson, president of the SEIU 1021 chapter, mentioned in a press release. “Working collectively, now we have achieved vital enhancements in working circumstances, plus much-needed wage will increase and a precedent-setting minimal wage of $25 per hour. This can be a win for our members, college students and the group.”

The staff Native 1021 represents have lengthy earned a number of the lowest salaries within the district, usually in positions vital to pupil success. Previous to the brand new contract, specialists in the field of instructional supportwho work with college students with disabilities, began at about $27,300 per 12 months and reached $36,600 per 12 months, or $22 to $30 per hour. Literacy teacherswhich teaches studying to preschoolers and first- and second-graders, began with the state minimal wage, which is presently $17.34 per hour, with wages rising to about $20 per hour. Salaries for newcomer teaching assistantsthat help immigrant college students in studying English ranged between $34,000 and $46,000 per 12 months.

In Alameda County, a single grownup with out kids should earn no less than $29.95 an hour to satisfy primary wants, in line with the Living Wage Institute. For a family with two working adults and one youngster, every grownup should earn $31.25 per hour to earn a residing wage. For a single dad or mum with one youngster, a residing wage could be virtually $58 per hour.

A historical past of wage dissatisfaction

Many members of Native 1021 have labored within the district for many years and have important institutional data. In school board conferences over the previous 12 months, some have spoken out about how useful — and undervalued — their work is.

“I greet each youngster by identify at Prescott who comes by the gate,” Ardean Mondy, a day supervisor and tutorial help specialist at Prescott Elementary in West Oakland, mentioned throughout a September assembly. Mondy has been with OUSD for 45 years. “Some days I need to depart. I do not as a result of I do know the varsity will endure.”

In a single Employee retention survey 2025Practically 60% of OUSD college help workers reported being dissatisfied with their pay – a better proportion than academics, principals and central workplace workers surveyed.

The contract should nonetheless be authorized by the Oakland college board at considered one of its bimonthly board conferences. This merchandise will not be on this week’s agenda. The contract should even be submitted to the Alameda County Workplace of Training to make sure the district can afford it.

As soon as the settlement is ratified by the board, Native 1021 members will obtain a 14% increase retroactive to July 1, 2025; in July this 12 months their salaries will rise one other 2%. As of January 2027, members incomes lower than $25 per hour after these will increase can have their wages elevated to that quantity.

The contract additionally features a dedication by OUSD to take part within the state’s summer time help program, which permits some staff to earn cash in the course of the summer time months once they usually don’t obtain a paycheck.

In a separate memorandum of understanding, OUSD agreed to satisfy with the union about implementation plans because it strikes ahead in creating its properties for inexpensive or workforce housing.

SEIU Native 1021 is considered one of six unions representing staff within the district. The Oakland Training Affiliation, which represents academics, is presently in negotiations with OUSD and reached an deadlock in December. That deadlock resulted in a fact-finding investigation, by which a delegated third get together hears from either side and points a factual report. That report is predicted later this month.