West Sacramento Teachers Say They're Prepared To Strike
WEST SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - Dozens of teachers around West Sacramento are taking a stand against the Washington Unified School District.
Teachers claim they aren't being paid fair wages.
On Thursday, teachers crowded the entrance to West Sacramento City Hall, demanding higher wages.
Stephen McNeil is a veteran of the school district; he has been teaching in West Sacramento for 33 years.
"I love the community, I raised my kids here, so I'm here to stay," said McNeil.
For Jessica Pagan, teaching is more than a job - it's a calling.
"Now I have to start my day at 7:45 a.m. and leave at 2:45 p.m., which has really cut into my planning time and prep time," Pagan said.
Negotiations between teachers and the district have been going on since 2015, and the battle has also taken a toll on Becky Nyberg's teaching.
"I don't have time to get assignments ready, reply to emails for parents and help with tutoring anymore," said Nyberg.
Teachers say they are now prepared to strike if an agreement isn't reached soon.
According to the WUSD website, its latest offer includes a 9.35-percent increase in salary and benefits over two years.
Parents now say they are worried their children's education could be at stake.
"You can't put a price on education and you can't put a price on the value they bring to this community," said Daisy Po'oi, who has three children who attend the Washington Unified School District.
The district hired a third-party review panel to make recommendations to both sides. That report will be made public on Monday.
