The vote does not mean teachers will immediately go on strike, but it gives their union the green light to act on things up to and including a strike.
Teachers are expected to cast their ballots at Oakland Technical High School between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. today. The head of the Oakland Education Association, Betty Olson-Jones will address the membership first, in a closed-door meeting.
This afternoon's action follows a one-day strike by Oakland teachers last Thursday. The school board had imposed a contract after negotiations between the school district and the teachers' union failed.
"Oakland teachers are the lowest-paid in the East Bay and we want to secure a fair contract," said Olson-Jones.
Teachers are asking for a 15 percent pay raise and want the district to maintain class sizes small in grades kindergarten through third grade. The district says it faces $85 million in budget cuts and can't afford salary increases.
Both sides are expected to return to the bargaining table later this week.
