Labor negotiations between the Oakland Education Association and the school district are intensifying as teachers prepare for a possible strike after months without a contract. Educators say low pay, high turnover, and inadequate classroom support are driving the dispute, while district officials face a massive structural deficit that has prompted a proposal for $102 million in cuts and more than 200 layoffs. County oversight leaders warn that OUSD is burning through reserves and cannot approve new compensation increases without offsetting reductions. District leadership maintains it is trying to reach an agreement that respects educators while staying within severe financial constraints.
See "Oakland teachers, school district resume labor talks; OUSD posts proposed $102M budget cuts", Anser Hassan, ABC, February 25, 2026