Denver Teachers Say They'll Go on Strike Monday

10, 2019, 05:55 GMT

By Associated Press

DENVER (AP) – Teachers declare that they will strike on Monday after failing to reach a agreement on wages.

The two parties met on Saturday to attempt to enter into a new contract after more than a year of negotiations.

"Faced with an incoherent proposal that is still lacking in transparency and pushing for the failure of incentives for a meaningful base salary for all, the DCTA strike will begin for schools that Denver students deserve" said in a statement the Denver Classroom Teachers Association.

We are disappointed that the DCTA has moved away from the table. We have submitted an updated proposal that responds to what we have heard from teachers, which corresponds to our values ​​of equity and retention, respects the language of the ProComp vote and significantly increases the salary of teacher base.

– DenverPublicSchools (@DPSNewsNow) February 10, 2019

The director of the Denver Public Schools said she was disappointed that the teachers' union had interrupted negotiations on Saturday night.

"Despite the union's refusal to continue negotiations, we remain committed to working with the DCTA leadership to end the negotiations." This strike, "said Superintendent Susana Cordova in a statement.

In several statements released Saturday night on her Twitter account, the Denver Teachers Union said the latest contract offer from the Denver Public Schools does not include the following. was not enough.

The bargaining team issued a tweet saying, "We can do better."

We are disappointed that the DCTA has moved away from the table. up to date that responds to what we have heard from teachers, which corresponds to our values ​​of equity and retention, respects the language of the ProComp vote and significantly increases teachers' base salary.

– DenverPublicSchools (@DPSNewsNow) February 10, 2019

Disagreements relate to salary increases and bonuses for teachers in very poor schools and other schools e the district considers a priority.

Teachers want lower premiums to free up money and improve overall pay. According to the district, bonuses are essential to improve the educational outcomes of poor and minority students.

Some teachers believe that the overall funding of support services in these schools is more important.

Teachers plan to picket at schools in the city from Monday. The district said the schools would remain open during the strike and would be composed of administrators and substitute teachers.

However, the district canceled classes for 5,000 preschool children because it does not have the necessary staff to take care of them. 19659020] According to the teachers' union, 93% of participating members supported a strike during a vote last month.