Pueblo Education Association rejects second offer by District 60, teachers will strike Monday

Pueblo City Schools made a second offer Friday afternoon to resolve the dispute with the Pueblo Education Association, but it was quickly turned down by union leadership.

The offer included a 2 percent, one-time stipend for teachers, which amounts to about $1,000. It maintained a 2.25 percent cost of living increase that would start in September of 2018. Thursday’s offer had the cost of living adjustment starting in the 2018-2019 school year. It also increased the district’s health care contribution by another $50 per month, not $30 as proposed on Thursday.

District 60 School Board President Barbara Clementi said it took Pueblo Education Association leadership two hours to reject the offer.

“The offer we gave this evening is all we have,” Clementi said. “We’re sorry, we’re disappointed we have not been able to resolve this dispute with our most important employees.”

The PEA has said they are looking for a 2 percent cost of living increase for teachers, 2.5 percent for paraprofessionals, and want it to be retroactive to the start of the current school year.

PEA said the strike is set to begin Monday and will continue until a deal is reached with Pueblo City Schools.

Pueblo City Schools alerted parents Friday evening all schools will be canceled Monday, and will provide free lunch at select locations.