Temperatures are rising in Stockton, and so is the heat teachers are turning up to get a fair contract settlement.

 

The Stockton Teachers Association is so frustrated by the lack of progress in contract talks that members overwhelmingly voted to strike if a contract isn't achieved after factfinding begins this month. While the teachers are seeking a salary increase, they consider maintaining health benefits as the most important issue.

 

"Health care is key. It's at the core of our negotiations with the district," says STA President Bonnie Boggs.

 

Negotiations have already gone on for more than a year with little progress. Because the California School Employees Association, the union that represents classified staff, is in the same predicament, the two unions have joined forces to pressure the district. STA represents 2,300 educators. CSEA represents 1,500 classified employees.

 

"People realize that we're all in this together," says Boggs, noting the two unions have held several well-attended rallies, including one in which CTA President Barbara E. Kerr brought word of support from colleagues around the state.

 

Teachers have been picketing outside their schools and have joined their CSEA colleagues at meetings of the board of trustees to show their solidarity.

 

Stockton teachers have had just a 1 percent raise in three years. This year, the district offered a 3 percent salary increase, but included no relief for teachers in the way of health care costs. Out-of-pocket costs for health benefits have been increasing each year, says Boggs, noting that some teachers are spending as much as 5 percent of their salary on health care.