For the first time ever, teachers in the New Haven Unified School District will be going on strike.

The issue comes down to how much of a raise the teachers at 12 schools across Union City in South Hayward will get. This is the reason 600 teachers will be picketing.

The New Haven Teachers Association wants a 10 percent raise over the next two school years. However, the school district is saying that the only raise their willing to offer is a 1% raise for the 2019-2020 school year as part of the teachers’ salary schedule. They’re also offering a one-time 3% payment.

With summer break starting next month, some people are questioning the timing of this strike.

“It’s more helpful to have it now rather than later,” said Union President Joe Ku’e Angeles. “We also know that there is no great time for a strike. It’s about the impact of getting our message across.”

James Logan High School Senior Lilliana Guardado and her peers are refusing to come to school. “We just want to support our teachers, so in not coming to school, we’re doing that.”

Students have expressed concerns about how skipping classes may affect their grades and the college admissions process many of them are going through. Other students, however, are taking the school district’s side. New Haven School District says their teachers are paid the highest in all of Alameda County – averaging $96,000 per year.

Substitute teachers and administrators have been called upon today while the teachers are on strike. School is still in session in the New Haven Unified School District.