Negotiations Update: Our Teamsters bargaining union has suspended the strike for their members, including custodial staff, paraprofessionals, food service workers, security personnel, etc. UTR has not reached a tentative agreement yet and may continue with strike activity.

The District and UTR negotiations teams met over the weekend and exchanged proposals.  The District’s negotiators presented UTR with the Board’s comprehensive proposal to resolve the labor dispute and discussed that proposal with UTR’s negotiators.  After an extended caucus, UTR presented the District negotiators with a counterproposal.  The District’s fiscal team, with the assistance of statewide fiscal experts, are thoroughly yet promptly evaluating the counterproposal.  UTR and the District have been in communication over the weekend. State Superintendent Tony Thurmond is following our situation, and over the weekend, he urged the Parties to continue working toward a resolution that will end the strike.  The District has invited UTR to continue negotiations on Tuesday, Dec. 9.  

We are pleased to announce that the District and Teamsters Local 856 reached a tentative agreement today, following a proposal from the Board of Education and further discussions today. Additional details about the agreement will be provided shortly. We understand that Teamsters has announced an immediate suspension of their strike, and we look forward to welcoming Teamsters-represented employees back to work tomorrow in service of our students.

The District remains committed to reaching a settlement with UTR so that this strike can come to a full close. Our goal is to return all employees and students to their classrooms and refocus our collective efforts on teaching and learning. We recognize the work ahead to strengthen relationships and ensure our organization is positioned to support all employees in advancing the success and well-being of every child we serve.

We can report that the District and UTR met today to review the Board’s proposals. The District met with UTR for nearly seven hours, beginning this afternoon and well into the late evening, and in separate and equally important meetings with Teamsters. These meetings involved the exchange of important proposals. The parties will continue to negotiate, and they plan to reconvene as soon as possible.  We know that our school community is eager to return to normal operations, with our teachers and all employees at work. We will have an update tomorrow.

Negotiations Update: The district’s negotiations team will meet with UTR and Teamsters bargaining teams separately today. We will update our community as news becomes available. 

Negotiations Update: The district’s negotiations team will be meeting with UTR and Teamsters bargaining teams separately tomorrow.

Dear WCCUSD Community,

Tonight, we were informed that the United Teachers of Richmond, our teachers’ union, plans to begin a strike on Thursday, December 4. This news is difficult for all of us, but I want to be very clear: our schools will stay open during the strike, and we are prepared to support every student who comes to school.

Over the past weeks, we have had many honest and hard conversations with UTR to try to reach an agreement. Tonight, we offered a 3% salary increase—more than the State’s LCFF cost-of-living adjustment—and improvements to health benefits for this year and next, based largely on recommendations in the State’s independent Factfinding Report. We made this offer even though our District is already spending millions more each year than we receive in revenue.

I have been here for less than six months, and I have listened closely to our teachers. I understand the frustration many feel. I share their concerns about keeping our schools fully staffed, improving pay so teachers want to stay, reducing the cost of outside services, and giving stronger support to all students, including those with special needs.

But a strike will not fix these problems. A strike takes teachers out of classrooms, harms relationships, and can make it harder to keep strong educators. It will not improve our budget and may deepen our deficit. And it will interrupt essential services for students with special needs—students who rely on us the most. I understand why people are frustrated, but a strike does not solve the challenges we face and may make them harder to overcome.

I understand our staff's needs and frustrations.  But I am heartbroken for our students. They deserve stability, care, and a learning environment where adults work together. I believe that even in this difficult moment, we can find a better path—one built on trust, honesty, and real long-term solutions for our children.

Again, all schools will remain open. We will provide safe and supportive classrooms, and we will continue to serve meals for students who depend on us. It will not feel like a normal day, but we will be here for every child who comes to school.

Finally, I ask our whole community to remember that children are watching and listening. Please show them that people can disagree and still treat one another with respect. Whether you are on the picket line or reporting to work, please help us ensure that no student feels uncomfortable or unwelcome at school. Our children deserve calm, kindness, and support as we work through this together.

Dear WCCUSD Community,

As you know, the District had fact-finding hearings with our Teamsters and United Teachers of Richmond labor partners on November 17 and 18. Since then, the fact-finding panel representatives have been meeting with the state-appointed chairperson to continue their discussions. We are committed to continuing these discussions into next week and through the break—whatever it takes—to try to reach a fair resolution and avert a strike that would only hurt our students.

We are grateful for the community support and for your voices that encourage us to work together to identify solutions and reach agreements.

We will continue to provide updates as our work progresses.

Respectfully,

Raechelle Forrest
Communications Office

Dear WCCUSD Community,

Today, District leaders and representatives from the United Teachers of Richmond (UTR) met with the State-appointed Fact-Finding panel. Similar to yesterday’s hearing with Teamsters, the purpose was to present each party’s position and supporting information related to ongoing contract negotiations.

The hearing concluded in the afternoon, and the panel met late afternoon. The Panel members will convene again later this week to continue their conversations. Thank you to everyone who participated for their sincere efforts to move this process forward.

We remain hopeful and committed to working toward a fair resolution with both unions that supports our employees and maintains the long-term fiscal health of the District, without any disruption to students and families.

For ongoing updates and additional information, families and staff are encouraged to visit our District website and follow our official social media and other communication channels.

Sincerely,

Communications Department
West Contra Costa Unified School District

Dear WCCUSD Community,

Yesterday, District leaders and representatives from the Teamsters Union met with the State-appointed Fact-Finding panel. The purpose of this hearing was to present each party’s position and supporting information related to ongoing contract negotiations.

The discussion was constructive and the panel will convene again later this week to continue the conversations. A huge thank you to all who participated for their sincere efforts to move this process forward.

We remain hopeful and committed to working toward a fair resolution that supports our employees and maintains the long-term fiscal health of the District, without any disruption to students and families.

For ongoing updates and additional information, families and staff are encouraged to visit our District website and follow our official social media and other communication channels.

With sincere gratitude,
 

Cheryl Cotton, Superintendent
West Contra Costa Unified School District

Dear WCCUSD Community, 

Happy (and safe!) Halloween, and Dia de los Muertos!   

I hope your evening and weekend are filled with community, creativity, and lots of fun! I have seen notices of many wonderful events throughout our community scheduled for this evening and over the weekend.   

I’m writing with a brief update on our labor negotiations.

On Nov. 17th and 18th, West Contra Costa Unified School District will begin the formal Fact-Finding process with our two largest employee unions, Teamsters and the United Teachers of Richmond (UTR). This involves a panel reviewing proposals and financial information, meeting with the parties, and issuing recommendations to help us reach a fair settlement. We meet with the Teamsters on November 17th and UTR on November 18th.

We expect this process will conclude on or around November 28th. We welcome this opportunity for a structured, independent review and remain hopeful we can come to a fair and balanced agreement without a strike. 

At the same time, we are preparing responsibly for all possibilities. If the union leadership calls for a strike, we are committed to keeping our schools open. Our goal is to minimize disruption for students and families by maintaining safe campuses, providing meals, and continuing meaningful learning activities. We’ll share school-specific details with families and staff if this becomes necessary. 

We value our educators and all employees, and we appreciate our community’s patience and goodwill as this process continues. We will keep you updated with timely information on our district website and through regular messages. For additional information about the Fact-Finding process (including timeline), please visit the Negotiations Updates page on our District website. 

Thank you for your partnership—and again, have a safe and happy Halloween and Dia de los Muertos! 

With appreciation, 

Cheryl Cotton 
Superintendent 
West Contra Costa Unified School District 

Dear WCCUSD community,

I want to take a moment to reiterate to our entire community that we value each and every one of our employees and we hear them and their concerns!

You might have heard by now that our two largest unions voted to authorize a strike.  We’re not sure if or when a strike might happen, but I want to acknowledge the frustration that too many of our employees have over the current labor dispute.

I live and work here and know firsthand from those experiences how deeply our staff care about our students and this community. 

I am reaching out now because we DO NOT WANT a strike.  A strike harms our students.  I have asked our union leaders to please come back to the table and bargain with us to avoid a strike.   We want to continue working together to find a solution that gives our employees the respect and compensation they deserve without harming our children through a work stoppage.  We have offered an ongoing compensation increase to each UTR and Teamsters that is over 2.3%, which is above the percentage increase in our annual Cost of Living Adjustment, or COLA, funding this year.

A strike would cause tremendous disruption for your children, our families, and our community, and we want to do everything possible to avoid any harm to our kids.  It is essential for all of us to realize that a strike does not change the financial realities that our District faces.  We are doing what we can to avoid any strike, which is why we have made a good-faith offer.  I believe that continued dialogue and the fact-finding process are key to reaching a fair agreement that honors our staff while protecting the long-term stability of our schools for your children. But we must come back to the table for that to happen.

I remain committed to listening, to finding common ground, and to ensuring that our shared focus stays where it belongs — on the students who depend on all of us. But we need to keep our schools open and keep our kids learning! Please join me in the effort to keep our schools open and keep our children safe and in school. Thank you for everything you do each day to support the students we serve.

With complete respect and appreciation,

Cheryl Cotton, Superintendent
West Contra Costa Unified School District

Update:

Dear WCCUSD Community,

Some of you have experienced difficulty accessing the updated resolution link we previously provided. To ensure everyone can view the document, we have attached the resolution as a PDF in this message. Please also try this link. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused and appreciate your understanding.

Thank you for your continued support.

• Download Resolution No. 2526-40 AMENDED WCCUSD Concerted Activity 2025.10.13_1258041surmjdbozth0uzjz2p4ovx5d.pdf

Dear West Contra Costa Unified School District Community,

On Monday, October 13, the West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) Board of Education approved an emergency resolution authorizing the District to make necessary preparations in the event of a potential strike by the United Teachers of Richmond and/or Teamsters.

We are hearing that both employee groups may initiate a strike and this resolution is a common and necessary step that allows the District to plan for and ensure the safe and continued operation of schools on behalf of our students. While we remain hopeful that a strike can be avoided, we must be ready to minimize disruption should one occur.

An employee strike would mean a significant interruption to student learning, something none of us wants to see. Our next step includes fact-finding, where an independent expert can help both sides work toward a fair and financially responsible agreement.

WCCUSD remains committed to supporting our staff, protecting student learning, and maintaining transparency with our community as this process continues. We look forward to continuing this important work together as One West Contra Costa.

In Community,

Cheryl Cotton
Superintendent, WCCUSD

Dear West Contra Costa Unified School District Community,

I want to share an update with you regarding contract negotiations between the District and United Teachers of Richmond (UTR) and Teamsters. At this time, UTR and Teamsters have declared an impasse in the bargaining process.

When an impasse is declared, state law provides a structured process to continue negotiations. The next step in the process is mediation facilitated by a neutral state-appointed mediator. 

We understand that news of an impasse in contract negotiations may cause concern for some families and staff. Please know that our shared commitment to students and their learning remains unchanged. Together, We Are One West Contra Costa, and we will continue to move forward as a community throughout our negotiation process.

The District remains committed to good-faith bargaining and to working toward a fair, fiscally responsible agreement that supports students, staff, and the long-term stability of our schools.

We will continue to provide updates as milestones occur in this process.

Sincerely,

Cheryl Cotton, Superintendent
West Contra Costa Unified School District

We are pleased to announce that during today’s (June 17, 2025) negotiations session, the District and SSA IFPTE Local 21 reached a Tentative Agreement on the 2025–2028 collective bargaining agreement.

The agreement reflects a collaborative effort and a shared commitment to addressing the interests of both parties.

The following articles are included in the Tentative Agreement:

• Article 3: Salary

• Article 3303: Vacation

• Article 3307.02: Extra Pay for Extra Work

• Article 4001: Vacancy Notice

• Article 5: Benefits

• Article 5008.01: Employee Personal Property – General Provisions

• Article 5008.03: Employee Personal Property – Time Limits and Substantiation

• Article 5100: Vacation Entitlement

• Article 5103: Vacation Accumulation

• Article 5.5: Unpaid Leave

• Article 10: Entire Agreement

This Tentative Agreement is subject to ratification by the SSA IFPTE Local 21 membership and approval by the West Contra Costa Unified School District Governing Board.

Negotiation Update, 6/3/25

SSA

The District and SSA have held six negotiation sessions to date. Tentative Agreements have been reached on the following eight articles. The next negotiation session is scheduled for June 17, 2025.

• Article 3: Salary

• Article 3303 Vacation 
• Article 4001 Vacancy Notice
• Article 5008.01 Employee Personal Property: General Provisions
• Article 5008.03 Employee Personal Property: Time Limits and Substantiation
• Article 5100 Vacation Entitlement
• Article 5103 Vacation Accumulation
• Article 10: Entire Agreement
   

Teamsters

The District and Teamsters have held five negotiation sessions to date. The next negotiations session is scheduled for June 26, 2025. Tentative Agreements have been reached on the following four articles. Article 14, Section 9: Heat Illness Prevention Plan

• Article 14, Section 10: Protective Personal Equipment
• Article 14, Section 11: Maintenance After-School Hours
• Article 15, Section 1: Cash in Lieu
   

UTR

The District and UTR have held seven negotiation sessions to date. Tentative Agreements have not been reached on any of the proposed articles. Negotiations will resume in August.

Dear WCCUSD Community,

We are currently in discussions with our unions regarding labor contract renewals for all staff in our district.  As we continue negotiations with our labor leaders, we want to reassure our community that the West Contra Costa Unified School District remains committed to a respectful, transparent, and student-centered process. We understand the concerns circulating in the community and want to express our commitment to finding a holistic solution to support students' scholastic success. 

We deeply value our educators and agree: they work hard and deserve to be fairly compensated. Our challenge is not about disagreement, but about how we responsibly meet this need while ensuring our district remains fiscally sound.

Since February 6, 2025, we have held five negotiation sessions with our teachers' union and submitted four counterproposals. On Wednesday, May 1, 2025, in our most recent meeting with the labor leaders, we acknowledged that our proposals related to budgeting are still in progress. Several essential steps must be completed before sharing a budget-based proposal, and we are diligently working to ensure that the district presents the most effective proposal to facilitate a successful resolution.  We are preparing to present additional district proposals at our next meeting on May 20.

At the center of every decision we make are the students we serve. Our responsibility is to ensure students have access to a stable, high-quality public education. That means making difficult choices, having hard conversations, and showing up to solve problems with integrity.

We are committed to engaging in good faith discussions and are dedicated to finding a path forward that upholds our promise to students, respects our workforce, and protects the future of our schools.

Thank you for your continued support as we work toward a solution together.

Sincerely,

Kim Moses, Ed.D

Interim Superintendent

West Contra Costa Unified School District

WCCUSD is pleased to announce that a settlement has been reached with United Teachers of Richmond (UTR) regarding salary and benefits reopener Articles for the 2024-2025 school year. The parties had previously agreed to a three (3) year contract in effect from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2025. This agreement represents a compromise and understanding of our current financial situation.

The District and IFPTE Local 21/SSA, realizing the current financial situation, are pleased to announce an agreement to extend in full force and effect all terms and conditions of the current labor agreement for the period of July 1, 2024 to July 30, 2025. The parties agreed to review the possibility of an additional one (1) extension if mutually agreed upon.

The District and WCCAA are pleased to announce that a tentative agreement (TA) has been reached for the successor agreement. The Interest Based Approach in negotiations allowed the parties to ensure that interests on both sides were addressed. WCCAA is scheduling a ratification vote shortly and details of the agreement will be forthcoming.

2024 Teamsters Local Union No. 856 and WCCUSD Sunshining of Successor Bargaining Contract

1. Board Précis
2. WCCUSD Teamsters sunshine proposals
3. Teamsters Sunshine