Educators in the West Contra Costa Unified School District went on strike on Thursday, demanding higher wages, support for international teachers on H-1B visas and teacher retention, among other issues. The district employs 1,400 educators, all of whom are on strike after 10 months of negotiations, across dozens of schools. This marks the first teachers strike of the school year in California and the first in the history of the 29,000-student district. Francisco Ortiz, president of United Teachers of Richmond, which represents teachers, librarians, counselors and other credentialed staff on strike, spoke in front of a crowd of supporters during a news conference held Thursday morning at El Cerrito High School. VIDEO: Francisco Ortiz, president of United Teachers of Richmond, speaks at a press conference at El Cerrito High School on Dec. 4, 2025. “When school workers walk out, it’s not because we want to. It is because our students cannot wait one more year, not one more month, not one more day,” he said. “We are united in demanding fair pay that keeps the people who care for our students right here in West County, full staffing that ends the churn and restores consistency in the classroom, dignity and respect for every worker.” Jessy Kronenberg, a teacher at El Cerrito High School, said that the Bay Area is too expensive to live on a teacher’s salary and that she is striking so that all schools in the district can continue to offer quality education to students. West Contra Costa…
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