Dublin teachers strike for 2nd day; roughly $21M difference between district and union's proposals

DUBLIN, Calif. (KGO) -- Classes are in session in Dublin, but teachers will be out of the classroom as over 700 are on strike for a second day.

"I think the morale is pretty good given the community support for us. Our parents just stop by and bring us cartons of coffee and donuts," says teacher Christine Davi.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: More than 700 Dublin teachers strike Monday after no deal reached between union and district

The teachers' demands remain unchanged: a 3.5% pay raise, better health care coverage, smaller class size. And to keep elementary school counselors.

"They had said they were going to remove all elementary counselors. And then they said they are not. And they said they are. So, that back-and-forth for us is just a contradiction from what they previously said," explain Davi.

The district countering with a 2.1% raise, increased contributions to health care premiums, but only offering to discuss class size in the future.

Parent Manish Singh is concerned about the impact of a prolonged strike.

"Yesterday (my daughter) was saying that there were some substitutes. (But) they were not bothered about teaching her. She was just sitting there playing around," says Singh.

He supports the teachers. But he thinks teachers could ease up on their demand for smaller class size.

"I feel 27 is decent number. I don't see it as too much of. concern. I think 27 is still manageable," suggests Singh.

"I am not seeing the progress the public would hope for," explains Superintendent Chris Funk for the Dublin Unified School District. "Our offer is approximately $11.5 million over three years. And DTAs offer is $30 million over three years. So, that is big gap to close in a very short period of time."

Superintendent Chris Funk says district's offer allows the union to decide how to allocate the $11.5 million - such as prioritizing salaries or class size.

He also raised concerns about the timing of the strike. Districts get funded based on average daily attendance. Funk says next week the daily attendance gets locked in.

"And so by going out this week, before that set funding, we are losing revenue because of the strike," says Funk.