Stockton Teachers Union Votes To Authorize Strike
STOCKTON (CBS13) – Teachers in the Stockton Unified School District have voted overwhelmingly to strike.
Union members began voting Thursday afternoon, with 97 percent authorizing the work stoppage.
The teachers and the district have been negotiating for more than 14 months. Teachers have asked for a six and a half percent raise.
The district countered with a half-percent increase, but then withdrew the offer.
"We don't really want to strike, but we do need to show the district that we are serious about the negotiation process and that the current offer they have on the table is not sufficient to attract and retain quality educators in Stockton," said Erich Myers with the Stockton Teachers Association.
Officials remain confident Thursday's vote will bring the district back to the bargaining table.
This is the fourth time in 13 years the Stockton Teachers Association has voted to authorize a strike.