Teachers on strike after failing to get pay deal

Denver teachDENVER — ers went on strike Monday after failing to reach a deal with administrators on pay in the latest example of edu- cator discontent, following a wave of walkouts over the last year.

Denver’s teachers started picketing before the start of the school day, and students crossed through the picket lines on their way to class in some locations. Students in at least one school walked out of class and demonstrated in support of their teachers.

The city’s schools will remain open during the strike and will be staffed by administrators and substitute teachers, the school district said. But classes for 5,000 preschool children were canceled because the district does not have the staff to take care of them.

Union leaders told report- ers they were frustrated with failed talks over the weekend aimed at reaching a deal. Union president Henry Roman said teachers were committed to reaching a deal but said that both sides needed a cooling off period. Denver schools superinten- dent Susana Cordova said talks over the pay dispute will resume Tuesday.

“They need us. They need our labor, they need our minds, they need our talents to really make it hap- pen,” lead union negotiator Rob Gould said.

The strike for Denver’s more than 4,000 teachers is their first in 25 years. It comes after teachers walked off the job in Arizona and West Virginia last year and Los Angeles teachers went on strike last month.