Sac City Unified Schools Remain Closed As Teachers Strikes Reaches Day 5
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Tuesday marks day five of the strike at Sacramento City Unified schools. No deal has been reached, meaning thousands of teachers and employees are hitting the picket lines again.
The latest counterproposal sent to the Sacramento City Teachers Association from the district includes increased one-time stipends for the 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 school years.
Sac City Unified says that brings the total increase offered to employees to 9.65 percent.
However, the union that represents classified staff who are striking say the district hasn't offered them any new counterproposals.
SEIU 1021 claims the district showed up to the bargaining table on Monday with the same counterproposal they had on Saturday, just with a different date. It includes a two percent raise - an amount union members say is "disrespectful to the women and men who have given years to take care of the district's kids."
"I mean, this should have been happening weeks ago, not day four of the strike," said David Fisher, president of the SCTA. "However, you know the term 'cautiously optimistic,' we just need the district to come towards the mediator's recommended solution."
Another teachers and staff rally was scheduled for 11 a.m. at Hiram Johnson High School.
Instructional aid Adele Sakler is a breast cancer survivor who works with special needs students at Hiram Johnson.
"I've been here four-and-a-half years and I love my kids," she said at the rally. "I have a learning disability so I understand what they need and I miss them"