Teachers Unions Join Occupy Oakland's 'Day of Action

Today is a "Day of Action" at Occupy Oakland. The "general strike" event is garnering significant attention after the Oakland Police Department slammed Mayor Jean Quan's handling of the situation.

The mayor has said that she supports the movement. From her statement;

“The pro-99 percent activists – whose cause I support – will have the freedom to get their message across without the conflict that marred last week’s events.”

Oakland's Teachers are also behind Occupy Oakland. The schools even sent a note home to the parents explaining their reasons for supporting today's Day of Action.

Berkeley's Federation of Teachers gives the protests the "thumbs up" and also instructs their membership on how to be part of today's action.

We call upon all BFT members to participate in the November 2nd Day of Action at Occupy Oakland.  It is incredibly important that teachers and union members take part in this historic mobilization. We are encouraging our members to participate in the Wednesday, November 2nd Day of Action.

The Union knows that taking part in a strike is not covered by their contract, but seem to have found a way around that restriction.

BFT is aware that Occupy Oakland has called for a General Strike, as well as a Day of Action, on November 2nd.  We have a no strike clause in our contract, so BFT is attempting to reach an agreement with BUSD to allow members to use personal leave, as long as there is adequate sub coverage, to attend ALL Occupy Oakland events on November 2nd.  We will update members and site reps as soon as we have news on that effort.

The teachers will be using personal days to take part in the "Day of Action" and the city will be forced to hire substitutes to cover the mass absences. The additional cost to the already-strapped economies of various California cities will not be known until after the event.