Oakland teachers say contract talks stalled; union points to mediation July 9

Todd Weisenstein, president of the Oakland Education Association, told the Oakland Board of Education on June 24 that negotiations over teacher salaries have stalled and that union members will not ratify a contract that leaves them “dead last” in Camden County. “Our salaries are dead last in the county in almost every category,” Weisenstein said during public comment, adding the district’s current salary guides would take a teacher nine years to reach a $60,000 starting salary in another district’s recently settled deal.

The union’s public remarks followed months of bargaining the speakers described as productive until the salary sessions, when Weisenstein said a board negotiator characterized the union’s offer as “laughable” and urged the group to caucus and return with a lower number. Sandy Hart, secretary of the Oakland Education Association, emphasized the union’s community role and the contributions of members who work beyond classroom hours to support families and school activities.

Union leaders also raised financial concerns about district budgeting. Weisenstein cited audited “overspending” figures and said the district reported an overdraft of roughly $123,223 in 2023–24 and $423,689 in 2024–25, asserting those shortfalls explain why the district repeatedly begins the fiscal year “in the hole.” The union asked why the district draws on fund balance and surplus rather than addressing internal spending choices.

The union warned that mediation is likely and urged settlement before a formal process begins. “On July 9th, we will have our mediation meeting,” Suzanne Wolsair, the OEA vice president, told the board. “Mediation will cost the board thousands of dollars in legal fees. So settling sooner than later is in all parties’ best interest.”

Board members acknowledged the public comments at the meeting and repeated a commitment to professional, confidential negotiations and to centering decisions on students, staff, and the community. Earlier in the meeting a board member said the board is “committed to approaching negotiations in a way that reflects Oakland’s values of respect, professionalism, and collaboration.”

Next steps: the union has scheduled mediation on July 9. Board leadership and the district’s negotiation team did not offer a new public counterproposal during the meeting; the district review of the audited figures and the upcoming mediation were the most recent procedural milestones announced.