Why a union?

Our students deserve excellent teachers. United PCS strives to support, empower and retain our educators, so that they can best serve our students.

Our work

  • Since our formation in 2018, United PCS has made strides in establishing a workplace that respects and supports its faculty, so that we can do the same for our students.

  • We have held the line on maintaining small class sizes, a fundamental part of what makes PCS a great school.

  • We have codified high expectations and fair procedures for our educators, and ensured support for their professional development.

  • We have worked tirelessly to level the playing field in compensation, so that we stop losing great teachers to other schools and professions, especially with the rising cost of living.

  • This work is ongoing, and we are grateful for the ongoing solidarity and support of our PCS Community.

Securing our Second Contract: A RetroSpective

From March 2022 until March 2023, we were at the bargaining table securing our second contract with Pacific Collegiate School. After a long bargaining campaign, declaration of impasse and the signing of a unanimous strike petition by our entire membership, United PCS achieved a historic contract. Below, you can learn more about the values and vision behind our campaign.

the issues

After the tumult of the last three years, our students need a stable, supportive learning environment.

  • 14 faculty left PCS during or at the end of the last school year; that’s 34% of our faculty.

  • Common reasons for faculty departure over the last two years:

    • financial hardship

    • burnout 

    • FTE (full time equivalent) instability 

    • difficulty finding and affording childcare

PCS is ranked as the #1 high school in Santa Cruz county (Niche), but by year 10, our teachers are the lowest paid. (Data as of winter 2023)

Salary comparisons with other local public schools.

faculty voices

Read statements from our faculty members on the pressing issues facing our school community at the time.

Read more here...

We’ve done our homework

Below, watch our bargaining team’s financial presentation (October, 2022) by Jennifer Eskenazi, who teaches A.P. Statistics at PCS. Prior to becoming a teacher, Jenny worked in corporate strategy. She has tirelessly donated her time and expertise to help United PCS create a fair, sustainable salary proposal.