US EditionWest Contra Costa School District Teachers on Strike Thursday
About 1,400 educators demand a 10% raise, funded healthcare, and smaller classes amid staffing shortages that left 71 classrooms without teachers, union leaders said.
- On Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, about 1,400 educators walked off, picketing outside dozens of West Contra Costa Unified School District schools in El Cerrito, Richmond, San Pablo, Pinole, Hercules and El Sobrante.
- After 10 months of negotiations, the district and United Teachers of Richmond remain at an impasse over a 10% pay increase, funded healthcare, and smaller class sizes, with the district citing a $17 million deficit.
- Union members prepared posters all week and formed picket lines Thursday morning, with more than 98% authorized to strike and Teamsters Local 856 joining after rejecting a tentative deal.
- Mayor Eduardo Martinez said the city is partnering with nonprofits to support families during the strike, and the Richmond City Council approved a $50,000 t emergency allocation to help affected families.
- Facing a vacancy crisis, bargaining teams meeting at 4 p.m. Thursday will address over 2,000 students without teachers and 71 classrooms without teachers this year.
10 Articles
10 Articles
Thousands of West Contra Costa teachers, staff begin strike
RICHMOND — Picket lines formed in front of schools Thursday morning, manned by thousands of West Contra Costa Unified School District educators, facility staff, students and family members demanding better pay, benefits and working conditions. United Teachers of Richmond and Teamsters Local 856, two district unions representing nearly 3,000 employees from educators and psychologists to cafeteria workers and security, began their joint strikes af…
1,500 West Contra Costa teachers begin strike after years of staffing issues
"Today I am doing the job that two teachers used to do." Teachers from the West Contra Costa Unified School District have begun a strike that's impacting around 25,000 students, demanding a 10% raise over the next two years. But the district says it doesn't have funding to meet demands.
West Contra Costa School District teachers on strike Thursday
RICHMOND, Calif. (KRON) -- Teachers in the West Contra Costa Unified School District are striking on Thursday over concerns of overcrowded classrooms and staffing shortages. United Teachers of Richmond (UTR) said 1,500 educators are striking and picketing outside every campus in the district. The union claims overcrowded classrooms, lack of resources and low salaries have forced many teachers to resign or retire over the last few years. “We cann…
After West Contra Costa Teachers Launch Strike, Both Sides Will Return to the Table
Teachers from all of the district’s 56 school sites picketed before and during school drop-off. The district and teachers' union agreed to begin renegotiating on Thursday afternoon.
Hundreds of educators prepare to strike in west Contra Costa County
Hundreds of educators in west Contra Costa County are expected to hit the picket lines Thursday. About 1,400 educators are expected to picket outside dozens of West Contra Costa Unified schools on Thursday. Union members have been preparing posters all week, focusing on pay, staffing, and student services. “We have been trying to sound the alarm for years but not to really avail, so this is our last resort,” said Gabrielle Micheletti, Vice-Presi…
Richmond will expand city services to help families impacted by WCCUSD teachers strike
Richmond will expand city services to help families impacted by WCCUSD teachers strike The city council on Tuesday approved $50,000 in emergency funding to extend community center hours and offer more recreation programs as teachers and Teamsters prepare to picket Thursday.
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