The picket lines have come down and a new chapter is beginning for the Rio Linda community. After 12 days of a historic strike—the first in the union’s history—the Twin Rivers Unified School District (TRUSD) and Twin Rivers United Educators (TRUE) have reached a tentative agreement that puts students back in classrooms this Monday, March 23.
The breakthrough came Saturday afternoon with the assistance of Assemblymember Maggy Krell, ending a 12-month bargaining cycle and signaling a major investment in the future of local education.
A Win for Teachers and Families
The two-year agreement is being hailed as a “massive shift” in how the district prioritizes its schools. Key highlights of the deal include:
- Healthcare Security: 100% employer-paid Kaiser HMO family healthcare benefits.
- Competitive Wages: A 7% salary increase over two years, plus a $4,000 bonus.
- Staffing Solutions: Increased pay for extra duties and Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs), aimed at filling the 80+ vacant classrooms that have impacted students this year.
- Future Growth: A commitment to a pre-negotiation committee focused on reducing class sizes and caseloads.
“Our members stood strong for 12 days and fought for fully funded classrooms,” said TRUE President Brittoni Ward. “With these investments, we’ve made important progress in ending the staffing crisis.”
Moving Forward Together
The district expressed deep appreciation for the patience shown by Rio Linda families during the strike. In a statement, TRUSD characterized the agreement as a reflection of “good-faith efforts” and a vital step toward maintaining a stable learning environment.
While the agreement is still subject to formal ratification by union members, the atmosphere is one of relief and optimism. By prioritizing recruitment and retention, the new contract seeks to ensure that every student in the district has a permanent, dedicated educator at the front of their classroom.
What to Expect Next
- Monday, March 23: All teachers and staff return to school sites.
- Coming Days: The district will release full details of the agreement to the public.
- Ratification: Union members will vote to officially finalize the contract.
The energy of the last two weeks—marked by marches, rallies, and community vigils—is now shifting back into the halls of our schools, fueled by a renewed commitment to Twin Rivers students.
