Will the school strike officially end? We’ll know by Sunday night

Seems a long time since Tuesday, when the Seattle Education Association and Seattle Public Schools reached a tentative agreement and SEA suspended its strike. It won’t be officially over until and unless the membership approves the contract deal. Voting is planned during the union’s general membership meeting on Sunday, 3 pm at Benaroya Hall downtown. This time, the vote is expected to be by ballot, not voice; the process is explained on the SEA home page. The SEA news release notes, “It could take hours of debate and questions before the vote.” We asked a union spokesperson if the meeting would be open to the media; the reply, no, but they might open it for announcement of the results, which we’ll report whenever/however they’re available. (WSB photo: Picketing outside district HQ last Monday, after strikers marched downtown from Denny/Sealth)

flimflam September 20, 2015 (8:03 am)

so nice of them to give parents a few hours notice of a strike, should the vote go that way. why not yesterday?

WSB September 20, 2015 (8:24 am)

The Sunday vote was announced on Tuesday (and was included in our coverage as well as others), when the building representatives recommended suspending the strike. It couldn’t be held sooner, according to the SEA website (question #2), because their rules require members to get 72 hours to review it before voting.

lox September 20, 2015 (10:11 am)

Sounds like it will be rather late notice.

SEA Teacher September 20, 2015 (11:23 am)

The Union has to reserve a space to hold a meeting for 5,000 members, which unfortunately takes a couple days. This meeting will likely take hours as members are very conflicted about this process, our options, and how it will impact teaching tomorrow.
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No one is happy with the district’s offer, but most do not want to go back on the picket line in order to renegotiate. I believe we all want to be at school tomorrow with our students, but getting firm case loads for specialists may be reason enough for members to vote “no”.

Give and Take September 20, 2015 (11:50 am)

I really hope that the voice of reason will prevail. Personally, I 100% support our teachers, but realize that compromise is part of any negotiation. You will never get 100% of what you want, no matter how noble the cause. We need more pressure on Olympia and the people who are holding the real
keys to solving this fiasco.