The Region : Compton Teachers Prepare for Walkout

Compton teachers, working without a contract since September, have authorized a strike after negotiations with the Compton Unified School District broke off. Jean Curtis, president of the 1,400-member teachers’ union, urged teachers to “clean out your desks” and said a strike could be called as early as Friday. The district, Los Angeles County’s third largest, offered teachers a two-year wage-increase package equal to 4.8% a year. The teachers are asking for a 6% annual raise each of the two years of the new contract. Salaries currently range from $15,700 to about $29,000 a year.