D60 teachers prepare for strike, start making signs

Teachers in Pueblo have started preparing for their strike Monday morning. Dozens of D60 educators filled Studio 127, a local salon and day spa to make their picket signs.

School is closed for students tomorrow because hundreds of teachers won’t be showing up for class. The union filed for a strike back in April but had to wait 20 days for the state labor department to intervene. They chose not to.

By Friday, the union had been offered two deals, both were rejected.

Fourth-grade teacher, Marie Schwager said, “those offers were just a slap in the face. They were like hush money. They wanted to shut us up and get us back in line. Put the leash back on the dog.” She’s one of the many teachers who say they’ll strike until the school district can come up with a better deal.

Teachers want to be back paid for the school year they’re currently in with a 2% cost of living addition. The previous deals proposed by the district instead offered stipends or one-time payments that teachers say didn’t amount to what they were owed.

First-grade teacher, Gilbert Medina said, “our students are our future and if we don’t invest in them now, what kind of country are we going to have later on?”

The picketing will start Pueblo’s high schools Monday morning around 7:30 a.m. and will later shift to D60 administration building in the afternoon.