Teachers union indicates strike is becoming likely
CALEXICO — Associated Calexico Teachers, held an informational meeting Thursday at Camarena Memorial Library to inform parents about the current status of contract negotiations between the Union and Calexico Unified School District.
“Hopefully we can help parents understand where the teachers are standing right now and where the CUSD is standing as well,” said Victor Piña, ACT member.
ACT said its has not received a raise from CUSD in five years. The union said that is not true of other school districts in the Imperial Valley.
ACT shared that the struggle with negotiations has created stressful conditions for staff and Calexico’s educators; some are leaving or planning to do so if salaries and working conditions don’t improve.
“This can affect parents or students if we don’t have highly qualified teachers working for Calexico,” said Piña.
At the meeting, ACT highlighted that teachers in Calexico make about $30,000 less for doing the same job compared to other Imperial Valley districts and have lost teachers, counselors and school psychologists.
“ACT is one step away from legally being able to go on strike,” said Piña.
The association added that striking is becoming possibility in the hopes of acquiring competitive salaries with other districts in the Imperial Valley.
“What we are trying to do is to go back and focus on what we’re supposed to be working on, which is educating the students and bringing back to the table that we’re supposed to be, a unit and supposed to be working as a trifecta,” said Piña. “I like to call it a trifecta where you have parents, community, and the board.”
Fact-finding meetings are scheduled for May 10-11. Meanwhile, ACT said it is hopeful for progress in contract negotiations.
“Hopefully, we can start reaching the gap and can come closer to an agreement,” said Piña. “We need qualified teachers because we are preparing students for the future.”