Sacramento City Teachers Union Postpones Planned One-Day Strike

Sacramento teachers won’t be striking next Wednesday as planned.

The Sacramento City Teachers Association announced Thursday that its bargaining team decided to postpone the one-day May 22 walkout because it’s pleased with the latest round of budget negotiations with the Sacramento City Unified School District. The district had been facing a budget gap of $35 million, but now forecasts a deficit of just less than $20 million.

The union also cited a state fiscal audit, an independent arbitrator ruling on salaries and the involvement of State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond as positive developments, among others.

“Because of these developments — and, more importantly, as a gesture of good faith in response to a request from Sacramento County Supervisor Phil Serna and as an effort to create a positive step forward — SCTA is today announcing that we will postpone the strike currently scheduled for May 22,” a statement reads.

In response, Sacramento City Unified Superintendent Jorge Aguilar said the district appreciates the decision.

“It is the right decision for parents and students who would have been harmed most by another teacher strike,” he said in a statement. “We look forward to commencing negotiations with SCTA leaders and working together to address our severe fiscal challenges.”

The district says it plans to save money in several ways, including leaving teacher vacancies unfilled and making cuts to pension fund contributions, special-ed transportation and the visual and performing arts.

The teachers association, representing 2,500 teachers and employees, held a one-day strike in April. The union said it hopes to not have to schedule a new one. In place of Wednesday’s strike, a rally will be held at 4 p.m. at the Capitol.