California teachers say health costs erasing pay gains — some spend $1,600 monthly

TWIN RIVERS UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT teachers in Sacramento spent 12 days on strike in March, in part, because health care premiums for some teachers and their families had reached $1,600 a month — a growing burden now fueling labor battles in school districts across California. 

Little Lake City teachers in Sante Fe Springs, Norwalk and Downey walked out of their classrooms for 10 days; Natomas Unified teachers in Sacramento for seven days; and Dublin Unified, West Contra Costa Unified and San Francisco Unified teachers for four days this school year.