Santa Rosa Teachers Picket Over Lack Of Contract

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — Members of the Santa Rosa Teachers Association protested Tuesday over the lack of a contract after two years of negotiations. Teachers picketed around 7:30 a.m. at selected school sites, focusing on Santa Rosa High School, and planned to picket again at 3 p.m., according to their union.

The picketing began on the first day of a two-day fact-finding hearing at the Santa Rosa City Schools District office on Ridgway Avenue. The fact-finder appointed by the state will work with teachers and the school
district to reach a resolution, then issue a non-binding report that recommends settlement terms.

Teachers have been working without a contract for 14 months, but have not yet voted to strike, and a collective bargaining agreement has expired, union officials said.

Teachers also rallied over unfair pay and benefits at school sites Tuesday afternoon.

"Students are suffering from having teachers leaving for other districts with fair compensation," SRTA president William Lyon said in a statement.

Teachers are paying thousands of dollars out of pocket for family medical premiums, according to the union.

By Bay City News Service

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