RICHMOND, Calif. (KGO) — About 1,500 teachers from the West Contra Costa Unified School District are walking off the job Thursday.
Though the district kept schools open, the strike is impacting about 25,000 students.
“When school workers walk out, it’s not because we want to. It is because our students cannot wait one more year, not one more month, not one more day,” said Francisco Ortiz, the President of the United Teachers of Richmond.
The United Teachers of Richmond says staffing shortages are just one issue. The teachers are also demanding a 10% raise over the next two years and better benefits.
“Today I am doing the job that two teachers used to do,” teacher Brett Lackey said. “This is just one example of the de-prioritization of students and classrooms in this district. But it’s not the teachers who are suffering, it’s the students, and their learning.”
The district is offering a 3% raise and improvements to health coverage, but says it can’t do more. Officials say the district is already operating in a deficit but the teacher’s union insists has the resources.
“We’ve given them a road map for providing severity for our district,” Ortiz said. “We’ve identified ways in which the district can’t afford our proposals, and they just need to find the will to make that happen.”
In a statement to ABC7 News, Superintendent Cheryl Cotton said in part:
“…early this morning, we reached out to UTR. We are serious about getting this matter resolved. We acknowledge that our employees deserve salary and benefits increases and we want a resolution, but this cannot happen while we are on strike and not at the negotiations table.”
On Tuesday, the union representing the district’s non-credentialed employees, from food service workers to campus security, narrowly voted against a tentative contract deal.
The teachers union said that more than 98% of its members authorized the strike and are on the picket lines. They said they’ll continue to strike until they get what they feel is fair.
Ahead of the strike, the city of Richmond said it was taking steps to help local families.
Richmond Mayor Eduarado Martinez told ABC7 News they’re working with after-school organizations and community centers to provide resources for those in need.
Richmond is also setting aside $50,000 to help impacted families.
“I think it’s the civic responsibility of the city to provide safe places for the students and parents who don’t want to cross the picket line,” said Mayor Martinez.
It’s unclear how long the strike could last but the district says schools will remain open.
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