Teachers in West Sacramento are ramping up pressure on their district as contract negotiations enter a critical stage that could bring them closer to a strike.<\/p>\n
After more than a year of negotiations, the West Sacramento Teachers Association<\/a> (WSTA) and the Washington Unified School District<\/a> have moved into the state\u2019s \u201cfact-finding\u201d stage, a step that allows for a strike 48 hours after a report is released if no agreement is reached.<\/p>\n Chants echoed across West Sacramento as teachers rallied, saying time is running out.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are losing good teachers and we’re not attracting the highest quality talent,\u201d said Jason George, a teacher at River City High School.<\/p>\n Teachers say the issue comes down to pay and benefits, arguing they are not keeping up with what nearby districts offer.<\/p>\n \u201cThe money is there and they’re unwilling to show their teachers that they value us,\u201d said Pinky Ngo, an elementary school teacher in the district.<\/p>\n For Ngo, the issue is personal. After nearly 30 years in the district, she said she is still struggling financially.<\/p>\n \u201cSalary I need to go out and get a side hustle. I am doing a bunch of other side hustles just to keep up with the cost of living. I have two kids in college, single mom trying to help and I’m still having to work to make ends meet,\u201d Ngo said.<\/p>\n Teachers say nearby districts pay thousands more, contributing to a growing retention problem.<\/p>\n The district told ABC10 it understands those concerns but must balance its budget to protect student programs.<\/p>\n \u201cIf we want to have our West Sacramento educators staying in West Sacramento, we need to meet their needs and their needs are not being met right now,\u201d said Evann Peterson, a fourth grade teacher.<\/p>\n Both sides met with the fact-finding panel on Tuesday and are expected to reconvene for another session<\/a>, though no date has been set.<\/p>\n While district leaders and union members say they want to avoid a strike, the possibility is getting closer without an agreement.<\/p>\n