FREMONT, Calif. (KGO) -- On Monday, there will be a "fact-finding hearing" between the Fremont Unified School District and the union that represents its teachers.
Instructors in the district of around 30,000 students could strike if their demands aren't met.
"I'm here to support the teachers, said Paraprofessional Shreedevi Tallam who works in a Fremont Unified District elementary school helping kids.
She's well aware of the Monday hearing between the district and teacher's association, which could determine if the 2,000 or so instructors in the district go on strike.
The union wants smaller class sizes and a salary increase. They also say teachers currently do not receive health benefit contributions, which must change.
"If our district has not been giving that so far, it's high time they do," said Tallam.
"I thought they would have dental and vision and everything," said Hongmin Jin whose son is in 1st grade.
Vicky Chon heads the Fremont Unified District Teacher's Association. We spoke with her last week about this very issue. She says Fremont teachers, who will be picketing on Monday afternoon, are fighting for at least a $1,000 health care contribution per year.
"When we don't offer health care, it's really challenging. And health care was negotiated out back in the 90s. It was such a different time and, really right now it is the time to bring that back, so we can continue to keep our schools such a great place," Chon said.
In a statement given to us last week, Fremont Unified Superintendent Zack Larsen says:
Source: abc7news.com
