Seattle Teachers Prepare To Strike On 1st Day Of School

SEATTLE — Seattle teachers overwhelmingly approved a strike authorization Tuesday morning, clearing the way for picketing to begin Wednesday, on what would have been the first day back to school for more than 50,000 students across the Emerald City.

The Seattle Education Association's 6,000 members weighed the potential strike over Labor Day weekend as bargaining continued with no deal imminent heading into the final days of summer break. Negotiations began in June, more than two months before the previous contract expired on Aug. 31.

While both the district and union highlight better support needed for students with multilingual and special education needs, the union argues that the district's proposal is inadequate and will create further staffing issues and untenable workloads. The union is also seeking better compensation, especially for staffers with the lowest pay.

The district argues for "moving away from a staffing-to-student ratio" in favor of training current teachers to obtain new certifications.

Union leaders shared the results of the vote during a noon news conference Tuesday. The Seattle Education Association said 75 percent of its members participated in the vote, with 95 percent voting to authorize a strike to begin Wednesday, provided bargaining teams did not reach a last-minute agreement Tuesday night.

"As a membership, we've spoken really loudly and clearly that we can't continue that same status quo," said Jennifer Matter, the SEA president. "No one wants to strike. It's not something that people just choose, but SPS has given us no choice. We can't go back to the way things have been, we need to fight for something better."

Teachers speaking Tuesday described increasing burnout and exhaustion among their colleagues last school year but said they would be ready to report to class if the union and district could come to terms on a tentative agreement in the 11th hour.

"We want to be here on Wednesday," said Jamillah Bomani, a fourth-grade teacher at Leschi Elementary School. "But we want to make sure we are coming back to school with everything we need and everything our students need. We are still holding out hope that something will happen and we can come in tomorrow. But we are ready and willing — if we need to — to let the district know that we're not going to show up if we don't have all the things our students need."

In a news release Tuesday afternoon, Seattle Public Schools confirmed classes would not take place Wednesday, due to a planned work stoppage.

"Seattle Public Schools respects our educators and staff. We are optimistic the bargaining teams will come to a positive solution for students, staff, and families, the district wrote. "Negotiations with SEA are ongoing. We are looking forward to beginning school and welcoming students and staff for the 2022-23 school year."

Parents can find the latest bargaining updates on the Seattle Education Association and Seattle Public Schools websites.