UNION CITY (KCBS Radio) -- Teachers launched a strike Monday morning against the New Haven Unified Schoo, District, which operates a dozen campuses in Union City and Hayward.
The New Haven Teachers Association is demanding a 10 percent raise over a two-year period, while the school district's offer was for less than half that.
New Haven Superintendent Arland Smith said in a statement, "“The NHTA Bargaining Team’s last, best, and final offer of a 10% on-the-schedule raise over two years would bankrupt New Haven, lead to negative certification and a possible state takeover."
The district intends to keep schools open during the strike, which involves nearly 600 teachers, counselors, nurses, psychologists and speech therapists.
The New Haven strike is the latest labor showdown in California public schools this year, following walkouts in Los Angeles, Oakland and Sacramento.