DALLAS -- Teachers in the Dallas School District will begin to strike on Friday, September 22nd.
Tensions are running high in the Dallas School District. Once again, teachers are going on strike.
"They make better money than I do and a lot of other people do, and when they retire, boy, they have it made," Irene Whitlock of Trucksville said. "I don't want to take away from them but we can't take away from the children just so that they can have that."
The teachers said they're striking for better salaries and health care. They've been without a contract since 2015. Last year, they walked off the job for 22 days.
"They came here with no intention of getting an agreement," Pennsylvania State Education Association Region Field Director said. "I told that to my team two days ago. I told that to my team last night. They're not here to get an agreement. They`re here for political purposes only."
Dallas School District leaders said they tried to negotiate with the union. They, too, wanted to avoid this trike.
"Anybody that says that a strike does not affect the educational process is somebody that should come and talk to me because I know how it affects the educational process because I went through it with my kid," Dallas School District Solicitor Vito Deluca said. "I feel bad for parents who have to deal with childcare tomorrow."
Newswatch 16 spoke to a student from Dallas High School.
"I'm more angry for the teachers than anything because people don't realize that teachers are humans, too," Dallas High School Senior Christina Blankensop said. "They deserve to have their pay and they deserve what they get."
While she wants her teachers to get what they want, Blankensop hopes both groups will set aside their differences soon.
"I just wish that they could come to a compromise because as a student, it's frustrating that my education is being affected by adults that can't make decisions who are trying to teach us about life," Blankensop said.
The state department of education will determine how long the strike will last. Parents are asked to contact school officials regarding any specific questions.