On Wednesday, October 1, SEIU 1021 classified professionals and community allies gathered at Oakland Technical High School for a high-energy rally demanding a fair contract from the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD).

The rally sent a clear message: Oakland’s public schools cannot function without classified staff. From early childhood instructional aides and special education support staff to culture keepers, climate ambassadors, and critical clerical workers, these workers are the backbone of OUSD, and they deserve to be treated as such.

As contract negotiations with the district continue to stall, SEIU 1021 members showed up to call for meaningful investment in the people who keep schools running. Participants spoke and chanted, calling for better wages, improved working conditions, and stronger support for recruitment and retention efforts. 

“OUSD continues to expand bloated, top-level management while students are left without the fully staffed schools they need and deserve,” said SEIU 1021 OUSD Chapter President Trish Belenson, a library technician for the district. “We know there is a different path forward, and urgent action is needed now. OUSD must stop outsourcing in-house jobs, trim excessive central office management that doesn’t serve our students, and spend down reserves to prioritize direct support for schools.”

The rally also drew attention to the daily realities many classified professionals face, from having to hold multiple jobs to widespread issues with housing and food insecurity. Despite these challenges, classified staff continue to show up for Oakland students every single day.

It’s far past time for OUSD to invest in the people who make education possible.