Pacific Grove teachers picket for higher pay

Teachers in Pacific Grove, in Monterey County, picketed outside a middle school protesting what they consider meager salary increases and costly health insurance, which they say are driving away many teachers from the district, according to the Monterey Herald.

The average teacher salary in the district was $103,808 in 2019-20, higher than the state average, according to Ed-Data.

The Pacific Grove Teachers Association is currently in negotiations with the district, asking for cost-of-living salary adjustments and a more affordable way to opt into benefits.

Pacific Grove Unified Superintendent Ralph Porras agreed health care costs are high, but said that the union decides how much of any increase is put toward benefits or salary.