Hundreds of educators in west Contra Costa County are expected to hit the picket lines Thursday.

About 14,000 educators are expected to picket outside dozens of West Contra Costa Unified schools on Thursday. Union members have been preparing posters all week, focusing on pay, staffing, and student services.

“We have been trying to sound the alarm for years but not to really avail, so this is our last resort,” said Gabrielle Micheletti, Vice-President of United Teachers of Richmond.

After 10 months of negotiations, the district and the union remain at an impasse.

The union wants a 10% raise over two years, funded healthcare, and smaller class sizes.

The district’s counter: a 3% raise and increased health benefits. Union leaders say low pay has already created recruitment and retention

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