Oakland teachers go back to class after strike over pay
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Thousands of Oakland teachers are back in their classrooms after union members voted to approve a contract agreement that provided pay raises.
Oakland Education Association members approved the deal Sunday and went back to work Monday.
The Oakland Unified School District ratified the agreement during a meeting Monday, giving educators 11 percent raises and a one-time bonus of 3 percent.
The agreement was reached after 3,000 teachers went on strike Feb. 21. That prompted seven days of marathon negotiations over pay, smaller classes and more school resources.
Oakland teachers were the latest educators in the U.S. to strike over pay and classroom conditions. The city's 86 schools remained open during the strike with administrators and substitutes.
The union said last Friday that the teachers won their demands.
Chabot Elementary School fourth grade teacher Laura Shield talks with a student in her class in Oakland, Calif., Monday, March 4, 2019. Thousands of Oakland teachers are back in classrooms after union members voted to approve a contract deal. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
A sign supporting teachers is shown on a fence outside of Chabot Elementary School in Oakland, Calif., Monday, March 4, 2019. Thousands of Oakland teachers are back in classrooms after union members voted to approve a contract deal. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Chabot Elementary School second grade teacher Kelleth Chinn is interviewed in his classroom in Oakland, Calif., Monday, March 4, 2019. Thousands of Oakland teachers are back in classrooms after union members voted to approve a contract deal. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Chabot Elementary School principal Jessica Cannon, center, talks with fourth grade teacher Laura Shield during class in Oakland, Calif., Monday, March 4, 2019. Thousands of Oakland teachers are back in classrooms after union members voted to approve a contract deal. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Chabot Elementary School fourth grade teacher Laura Shield, top rear, listens to students in her class in Oakland, Calif., Monday, March 4, 2019. Thousands of Oakland teachers are back in classrooms after union members voted to approve a contract deal. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Chabot Elementary School fourth grade teacher Laura Shield gestures while instructing students in her class in Oakland, Calif., Monday, March 4, 2019. Thousands of Oakland teachers are back in classrooms after union members voted to approve a contract deal. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Chabot Elementary School second grade teacher Kelleth Chinn walks to his classroom to be interviewed in Oakland, Calif., Monday, March 4, 2019. Thousands of Oakland teachers are back in classrooms after union members voted to approve a contract deal. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
A sign welcoming back teachers is shown at Chabot Elementary School in Oakland, Calif., Monday, March 4, 2019. Thousands of Oakland teachers are back in classrooms after union members voted to approve a contract deal. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
