PORT ANGELES, Wash. — School will start as scheduled Thursday in Port Angeles despite ongoing negotiations between the teachers union and the school district.
The Port Angeles Education Association voted to authorize a strike on Monday during ongoing contract negotiations. The association said the school year will start on time, but a strike will happen unless an agreement can be reached by Tuesday.
Port Angeles Education Association is made up of 250 educators in the Port Angeles Public Schools.
"I’m excited to start the school year with my new class of students,” said Brandon Howard from Roosevelt Elementary School and PAEA Vice President. “I hope we can avoid going out on strike on Tuesday. We deserve a contract that will ensure we can meet the needs of every one of our students.”
The union claims the Port Angeles School District "has yet to agree to the supports our students and our educators need to be successful."
“If the district team is willing to come in, commit the time and attention then we can reach an agreement,” said Port Angeles Education Association President John Henry. “Get the district to the table and we can get this done. PAEA is ready. We have been since February.”
The teacher's union claims the school district only scheduled four partial bargaining dates since June. In part, teachers are bargaining over planning time and class sizes.
Other teachers' unions around the state have also voted to authorize strikes during contract negotiations with school districts.
The Kent School District has canceled the first day of school multiple times amid a teachers' strike, where teachers are bargaining for higher wages, lower class sizes and more manageable case loads.
The North Thurston Teacher's Union just reached a collective bargaining agreement with the school district after picketing last week over workloads and increased pay.
The Seattle Education Association will vote on strike authorization this weekend.