Jersey City teachers strike as talks stall over health care

JERSEY CITY, N.J. (AP) - Teachers in a large northern New Jersey school district have gone on strike.

The job action in Jersey City began early Friday after the teachers union and the district failed to reach a deal. District officials say city schools will be open for a half day on Friday.

The last teachers strike in Jersey City occurred 20 years ago.

Hundreds of teachers had attended a school board meeting on Thursday night, calling on district officials to "get a deal done."

The two sides have been negotiating since last year, but talks have stalled over health care costs.