Lack of district action results in continued picketing
Photo courtesy of Erin Hanlon-Young
This morning, May 5, Lowell teachers and staff participated in a picket, organized by the United Educators of San Francisco (UESF), on Eucalyptus Dr. From May 1-5, SFUSD schools have been holding informational pickets to demand for raises, improved working conditions, a fully staffed school, student support, and protection from poor management decisions. Teachers passed out flyers as parents in passing cars honked and cheered them on.
These teachers and staff were also backed with support from the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1021, a union organization that works across Northern California. According to the president of this organization, Rafael Picazo, the informational pickets are directed toward parents with the goal of accentuating the unfairness teachers face as well as how SFUSD has struggled with retaining staff. “There are a lot of things that go on to keep our schools up and running,” Picazo said. “[We are trying to get the attention of] people who don’t realize they are part of a functioning high school district and what it takes to run a school district.” He hopes more informational pickets can be organized in collaboration with Lowell staff with the goal of “Getting people to understand what our teachers are worth.”
Roman is a senior who, if not chugging coffee or blasting music, is only doing one of four things: playing baseball, watching the sunset, getting hit in the head with a bowling ball, or falling asleep at the dinner table.
When Aaliyah isn't working in the journ room, she's usually running around the school, balancing the other six clubs she's involved in. Outside of school she constantly keeps herself busy, overindulging in teen dramas from the early 2000's. She's most like Summer Roberts from The O.C., but thinks she's a Rory Gilmore.
