David Goldberg, President of the California Teachers Association (CTA), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the concerns teachers in California's education system face and the union's efforts to address them.
With 300,000 members across 1,000 locals, the CTA advocates for better funding, improved working conditions and fair compensation for California educators.
Goldberg brings a rich history of union activism to his role, having grown up in a family of educators deeply involved in labor struggles. His grandmother participated in the 1970 strike that helped establish collective bargaining rights for teachers in California, while his mother was a strike captain in 1989. According to Goldberg, this journey has strengthened his understanding of the connection between educator struggles and student welfare.
On Feb. 4, 32 Locals will be launching the "We Can't Wait" campaign, representing 77,000 educators who are responsible for 1.2 million students. This initiative aims to build collective power across local unions to address statewide issues, marking a shift from traditional union structures.
One issue impacting educators in California is the high housing costs in the state. According to Goldberg, 84 percent of teachers are unable to live near their workplace due to high costs. This, among several other issues, has led to a significant exodus from the profession, with 40 percent of CTA members considering leaving due to financial strain, he added. For labor to make a difference, Goldberg believes it would take a multi-pronged approach. His plan includes re-focusing on organizing, connecting local struggles to statewide campaigns and establishing a partnership with parents and communities.
The CTA is also working to address the immediate needs of educators affected by recent wildfires, providing support through their website at cta.org/lawildfires.
Listen to the show above to hear more from Goldberg and the CTA.