Schools to stay closed Monday as Sacramento district, teacher talks extend with no sign of resolution
Sacramento City Unified School District officials continued twin talks with bargainers from the teachers and classified staff unions Sunday as negotiations on a new labor pact ground through the weekend.
Classes in the 40,000-student district would remain closed Monday, the district said in a 9:30 p.m. update, marking the fourth day without instruction. The district closed its campuses Wednesday as employees took to the picket line.
Proposals and counterproposals marked the weekend bargaining sessions. Sacramento City Unified and the Sacramento City Teachers Association resumed talks 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
On Saturday and earlier Sunday, a district team met separately with Service Employees International Union negotiators. The union’s Local 1021 represents the district’s classified employees.
The district’s counterproposal on Sunday increases a one-time stipend from 2% to 3% for full-time employees in the present 2021-22 school year; offers a one-time $3,000 stipend for employees currently on the district’s Health Net health plan who move to Kaiser Permanente by June 30; and agrees to meet with union representatives to review other health benefits options.
SEIU-represented employees were offered one-time $1,000 stipends for 2020-21; and 2022-23; along with a $1,500 stipend for 2021-22, according to the district.
The sides were met virtually by local representatives including Sacramento County Supervisor Phil Serna.
In a social media post shared by Sacramento City Teachers Association on Sunday, the supervisor said: “I remain available, and willing, to assume whatever role is productive to help settle the strike ASAP,” adding that “students, teachers, support staff and families deserve a fair and stable educational environment.”
If no resolution is reached, the teachers’ association has scheduled a rally 11 a.m. Monday at Rosemont High School with labor leader Dolores Huerta, union organizers said Sunday.
This story was originally published March 27, 2022 at 9:21 PM.
.JPG)