Overview
- Roughly 1,400 to 1,500 educators began picketing across West Contra Costa Unified on Thursday after 10 months of failed talks.
- Schools remain open with meals and supervision, and families can opt into short‑term independent study during the strike.
- The district’s latest offer is a 3% raise with increased health benefits, while the union seeks larger pay hikes, smaller classes, and fully funded healthcare.
- Union demands also include stronger special‑education staffing and contract support for international teachers on H‑1B visas, which a state fact‑finder advised against adding to the contract.
- A state report cited a nearly $17 million deficit; Teamsters Local 856 joined the lines after rejecting a tentative deal, and Richmond set aside $50,000 to help families.