S.D. teachers union refuses pay cut, offers alternative
By Ana Tintocalis/San Diego KPBS
San Diego's teachers union says its members will not accept an 8 percent pay cut to balance San Diego Unified School District's budget. The district presented the San Diego Education Association with the 8 percent pay cut proposal last week. Union leaders call the pay cut ridiculous and indefensible. In fact, they say the district's proposal has negatively affected the recent good will between the union and the school board. Instead, union leaders say their members will take three furlough days annually if the district agrees to a list of concessions. Those concessions include placing caps on class sizes and preserving nursing and counselor positions. Union president Camille Zombro says the money that funds those positions is being used on other things. (more...)