Author: Mehmet Bayram

MayDay 2019 Interview with Kivanç Eliaçık, the Director of International Relations of DISK, the Confederation of Progressive Labor Unions in Turkey

Kivanç Eliaçık, the Director of International Relations of DISK, the Confederation of Progressive Labor Unions in Turkey gives the glorious history of the May Day in Turkey and gives insights to the current struggles and challenges of unionizing in a country that is explosive with political unrest.

Teachers disappointed at the “contract” to end the strike in Oakland, CA

Many teachers were concerned about possible cuts to SEIU and AFSCME staff to pay for agreement and limiting the moratorium on the closure of public community schools to only 5 months. Teachers were also angry about charters and the privatization of the entire educational system with the district closing community public schools and opening up charters.

Thousands of Oakland Education Association OEA  members including teachers and OUSD staff attended a meeting to vote on their TA on March 3, 2019. Before the meeting, some discussed their concerns about the proposed contract.  Many teachers were concerned about possible cuts to SEIU and AFSCME staff to pay for agreement and limiting the moratorium on the closure of public community schools to only 5 months. Teachers were also angry about charters and the privatization of the entire educational system with the district closing community public schools and opening up charters.  Students, parents and community supporters also discussed the conditions in the classrooms and why they were supporting the teachers.