Sacramento teachers authorize strike

Teachers, bus drivers, maintenance workers and other staff who belong to two unions in the Sacramento City Unified School District voted to authorize a strike if union leaders believe no progress is made in negotiations.

As reported by the Sacramento Bee, leaders from the Sacramento City Teachers Association and SEIU Local 1021, which represents other staff, said they are frustrated by the teacher and staff shortage that leaves hundreds of students without a full-time teacher or substitute every day, and by the inadequate instruction for students who opted to enroll in independent study programs.

The unions also said that they oppose a district proposal to freeze wages for certificated staff and cut health benefits for family members.

In an email to families, Superintendent Jorge Aguilar wrote that a strike would cause “chaos” for families and said the district has offered to provide extra pay for substitutes, nurses, and teachers in independent study.