After months of negotiations over pay, Denver teachers have voted on a potential strike. Teachers gathered at Denver’s Riverside Church on Saturday to listen to union representatives deliver informational presentations. This came one day after the union rejected Denver Public Schools’ proposal on a new pay structure for teachers.
Many Denver teachers report frustration over pay, and hope that they can be better compensated for their work. Teacher Amber Wilson reports knowing that she would not be highly paid, but is tired of financial instability going into her late 30s. The union’s primary demand is a sustainable income in the form of a pay structure that is fair for all. Negotiations have been going on for over 14 months now.
Denver is not the only city going through a teachers’ strike. The teachers’ strike in Los Angeles has now cost the city over $125 million, and left over 600,000 students out of the classroom. LA teachers have also been on strike over pay, but also demand smaller class sizes, better working conditions, and more teachers. Their situation has been complicated further because California bases its school funding on daily attendance, which has plummeted amid the strike. Negotiations have continued over the course of 21 months.
