If Natomas Unified teachers go on strike on Tuesday, they could join Twin Rivers Unified teachers, who began a strike last Thursday.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Teachers in the Natomas area are preparing to possibly go on strike this week, a move that could affect thousands of students and mark the first strike in the history of the Natomas Unified School District.
The earliest the strike could begin is Tuesday.
With more than 600 teachers preparing for the possibility of walking off the job, union leaders and district officials returned to the bargaining table Sunday.
“It’s time for them to get serious,” said Nico Vaccaro, president of the Natomas Teachers Association. “Since we’ve announced our strike date, we met two times last week, Tuesday and Wednesday. Then we met on Friday. Now we’re meeting again. I’ll say that there has been some movement.”
But union leaders say the progress so far has not been enough to prevent a strike.
In its latest update on Friday, the district said it is offering a 4% salary increase and a 100% district-funded health plan option.
“We’ve been asking for fully-funded family health care since the very beginning, asking for competitive salaries that are reasonable, that will keep teachers here in Natomas, Vaccaro said. “We’ve been asking for more prep time for elementary teachers because they need it to support their students and themselves. We’ve been fighting for stronger safety language for sports and special education.”
District officials say agreeing to those demands would require cuts to programs, activities and staffing.
“(Monday) morning, we’ll be back at the negotiations table, and the clock will be ticking,” Vaccaro said.
If a strike begins Tuesday, the district says schools will remain open, though the school day could look different. Officials say they are recruiting substitute teachers and could use Sacramento police to help ensure traffic and strike activities do not compromise student safety.
If the strike happens, Natomas teachers would not be the only educators in the Sacramento area on picket lines.
Teachers in the Twin Rivers Unified School District began a strike on Thursday and have not yet reached an agreement with the district, meaning the strike will continue on Monday while schools remain open.
In West Sacramento, teachers in the Washington Unified School District have authorized a strike if necessary, though no strike date has been set. District officials say a fact-finding session with a neutral panel is scheduled for March 17.
“They have the means to avert a strike,” said Vaccaro of the Natomas negotiations. “The strike is on Tuesday, so I’m asking them to get serious.”
Watch more from ABC10: Parents question instruction as Twin Rivers teacher strike disrupts classes
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Twin Rivers Unified School District began a strikeauthorized a strike