Teachers with the Twin Rivers Unified School District said they’re willing to return to the bargaining table.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — After three days of picketing, teachers with the Twin Rivers Unified School District say they’re ready to start negotiations back up.

Twin Rivers United Educators (TRUE) have been on strike since March 5. Much of the dispute centers around pay increases, health benefits and smaller class sizes. The union is also calling on the district to fully fund classrooms, investing more of its budget on instruction.

“We are hopeful that TRUSD will finally recognize this crisis for what it is and bring proposals tomorrow that truly invest in students and classrooms,” TRUE President Brittoni Ward said. “We will be on the picket lines tomorrow and prepared to negotiate in good faith.”

The union said they’re waiting for the next bargaining session, but added the district hasn’t provided an updated proposal since last Tuesday. The district previously said they already have a fair contract on the table that they are ready to sign.

While the strike continues, campuses across the district remain open for students and the regular school day.

With many teachers on picket lines, some schools are relying on substitute teachers to fill classrooms, a situation that has frustrated some parents.

“They’re spending $600 a day on glorified daycare, and my kid isn’t getting any instruction. Why would I send them to that?” said Twin Rivers Unified parent Santiago Vivas Rodriguez. “I can teach them better at home. My wife can do that better at home, and I think that the lessons they learn out here are far better than the lessons that they’re going to get in the classroom at the moment.” 

On the first day of the strike, the district reported about a 72% attendance rate among students and just over an 88% staffing rate.

The union said they agreed to return to the bargaining table after a request from Assemblymember Maggie Krell. ABC10 reached out to the district and to Asm. Krell for comment, but the inquiry was not immediately returned. This story will be updated when they respond.

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