West Sacramento teachers, Washington Unified make tentative deal, averting strike
A planned teachers strike in West Sacramento was called off late Tuesday after the Washington Unified School District and its union reached a tentative agreement, district officials said.
The district and the West Sacramento Teachers Association announced the deal just before 11 p.m. The agreement came days after educators had been preparing for a possible strike as early as mid-April.
“Both teams met for a second fact-finding session and are pleased to announce that a tentative agreement has been reached,” the district said in a statement.
The tentative agreement includes a 9% wage increase over two years, a fully-paid Kaiser health care plan through June 2027, increased stipends and higher investment in special education staff, according to the teachers union.
The contract will be ratified after both sides complete their approval processes. Teachers will vote on the ratification of the contract after spring break, according to the union.
“This is a win for the entire West Sacramento community,” said Doug Knepp, WSTA President. “We are proud to have reached an agreement that will help retain and recruit educators and strengthen our schools and classrooms for years to come.”
The breakthrough followed weeks of escalating tensions for the district, including a March 18 rally outside district offices where educators warned of staffing shortages and high turnover.
At the time, the two sides had entered fact-finding, a state mediation step that can precede a strike if no resolution is reached. Teachers could have walked off the job shortly after a fact-finding report was issued.
The district serves about 8,300 students across 19 campuses in West Sacramento.
“We want to extend our sincere thanks to our teachers, staff, families and community for their ongoing engagement and support throughout this process,” the district said. “We are especially grateful to our teachers for their continued collaboration and dedication to students every day.”
The tentative agreement averts what could have been the third teachers strike in the Sacramento region in recent weeks, as unions have pushed for higher pay and improved health care benefits. The teachers union noted the “regional surge” in educator organizing and the example set by contract wins in local districts in its news release announcing the agreement.
Teachers in the Natomas Unified School District ended a seven-day strike a week ago after reaching a deal that included increased compensation and health care improvements.
Days later, Twin Rivers Unified School District educators reached a tentative agreement to end its 12-day strike over similar disputes involving salary and benefits.
This story was originally published March 25, 2026 at 7:45 AM.
