Published: January 2025
After months of unproductive bargaining sessions with their district, educators in Albany made the brave choice to go on strike to fight for better learning conditions for their students and better working conditions for educators. On Nov. 12, more than 600 Greater Albany Education Association (GAEA) members joined picket lines around the community - the first strike in the local since 1986.
The strike ended up spanning more than three calendar weeks, with educators, students, parents, and community members standing in solidarity to tell district leaders that the status quo was no longer working. Educators walked picket lines, organized city-wide rallies, engaged with and activated their community, and spent countless hours at the bargaining table to secure a contract that made real investments in the supports students and educators need to thrive.
The final contract secured by educators in Albany is historic, making groundbreaking improvements on many of the issues that had been contributing to overcrowded and unsafe classrooms. The contract also made huge strides towards making Greater Albany Public Schools a district where educators will want to work and will be able to afford to work.
Key Highlights of the New GAEA Contract
Class Size & Safety: New thresholds for class sizes and dedicated funds to provide additional certified and classified support; committees established to address overcrowded and unsafe conditions at both elementary and secondary levels. Guaranteed solutions at the elementary level with appropriated funding. MOU that commits to ensuring reasonable kindergarten class size at 22 for Title 1 and 25 for non-Title with dedicated funds prioritized to hire more teachers and classified staff.
Pay Increases:
• 2024-2025: 7% for years 1-15; 9% for longevity.
• 2025-2026: 4.5% for years 1-15; 5.5% for longevity.
• 2026-2027: Minimum 3%, up to 5%, based on inflation.
Guaranteed Prep Time: Daily uninterrupted prep time
30 Hour Cap on Professional Development: Clear language that protects PLC time
Two Daily Restroom Breaks!
Quote byGrace Prowse , Lafayette Elementary Kindergarten Teacher
Every single student I have ever taught is worth fighting for. The foundation that kindergarten children receive sets the tables for their success or failures for the next 12 years and beyond - and their relationship to schooling and education. I am so relieved that with the support of our community and GAPS parents, we were able to win caps on class sizes so every kindergartner is able to receive the extensive one on one support and instruction that they need for the building blocks of their future to be strong.
—Grace Prowse
,
Lafayette Elementary Kindergarten Teacher
With the support of their community, students, and parents, GAPS teachers won transformative changes including vital improvements to school safety, increased support for students with learning differences and special education students, and the first-in-the-state hard cap on class sizes for kindergarten classes.
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Keeping the Promise of Quality Public Education
The Oregon Education Association (OEA) is a union committed to the cause of providing the basic right of great public education to every student. OEA represents about 41,000 educators working in pre-kindergarten through grade 12 public schools and community colleges. OEA’s membership includes licensed teachers and specialists, classified/education support professionals (ESPs), community college faculty, retired educators, and student members. OEA members also belong to the 3.2 million members of the National Education Association (NEA).