School employees threaten to go on strike

Calexico school employees are now protesting over salary cuts.

The Calexico School District’s classified employees protested outside local offices on Thursday. They said the school board is offering them pay cuts instead of raises.

The board offers a five percent increase in salary but requires a seven percent retirement contribution, which they say is basically a two percent salary cut. Currently, the district pays their retirement contribution.

They have had fourteen talk sessions without coming to an agreement.

They went into the board meeting raising yellow cards in their hands. They said it was to warn the board that they are getting ready to go on strike. They threatened to bring red cards to the next meeting if negotiations over salaries broke down.

“We do play an important role in our school district. Who feeds the kids? The classified. Who transfers the kids? The classified. Who cleans the restrooms? The classified. We deserve the five percent, but not the cut. We are willing to go on strike once we get to that point,” said classified employees’ President Sonia Redona.

Calexico school board officials said they cannot comment at this time. The next school board meeting with the classified employees is next month.