PUEBLO, Colo. (AP) - The Latest on a teachers’ strike in Pueblo (all times local):
4 p.m.
Pueblo teachers and school district officials may be close to ending a strike that has closed most city schools since Monday.
After negotiations that lasted much of Saturday, the Pueblo Education Association board authorized its union members to vote on the district’s latest offer.
KRDO-TV reports the vote will be Saturday night and the results will be announced Sunday.
KOAA-TV reports the offer to teachers includes a 2 percent cost-of-living increase retroactive for six months, a 2.5 percent increase next school year and a $50 monthly health insurance contribution.
The offer to paraprofessionals includes a $500 stipend, a two-step pay bump, a 3.25 percent cost-of-living increase and the health contribution.
Striking teachers also would receive three days’ amnesty and could count the remaining two days as leave time.
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9:05 a.m.
Teachers and school district officials are meeting in Pueblo in hopes of ending a strike now in its sixth day.
The sides sat down Saturday morning to discuss the third offer from the district since the strike closed most city schools last Monday.
Details have not been disclosed.
Kendra Zerfas of the Pueblo Education Association tells the Pueblo Chieftain that bargainers hope a deal can be reached that will allow schools to re-open Monday.
But, she adds, it depends on what the deal looks like and how long it takes union members to agree to it.
The strike began after the district refused to give teachers a 2 percent cost-of-living increase.
The teachers rejected previous district offers of a one-time stipend and to defer raises until next school year.
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