US: Denver teachers strike over base salary

By Umar Farooq

WASHINGTON (AA) - Teachers in the state of Colorado’s largest school district began a strike Monday after failing to reach terms with the school district on pay.

Schools will remain open as administrators and substitute teachers fill in the void left by the teachers, according to Denver Public Schools Superintendent Susana Cordova.

Preschool and Early Child Education classes will be canceled, however, leaving 5,000 children at home.

"It's not going to be a normal day. I’m not going to pretend like that’s the case. Anytime students’ teachers aren’t in class, it’s not a normal day," Cordova told a local television channel.

"I think it’s really important that our teachers’ union comes back to the table so that we can get to a deal," she added.

On Saturday, the Denver Classroom Teachers' Association (DCTA) met with administrators to negotiate a deal that involved receiving a "living wage" along with a limit on what they called unpredictable bonuses.

After failing to reach a deal, the DCTA announced it would strike and picket at Denver schools across the district.

"The district has failed to deliver a fair, transparent and professional salary plan that pays all teachers a living wage at the base level and limits unpredictable bonuses that disrupt our students’ education," the union said.

Denver Public Schools serves more than 90,000 children.