Seattle parents back teachers in contract dispute
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Teachers in Seattle, Washington, prepared to strike over pay and classroom conditions, but parents overwhelmingly supported their demands.
The Seattle Education Association authorized a strike if negotiations with Seattle Public Schools failed. Teachers sought improvements to special education services, relief from large class sizes, and increased pay, averaging $117,000 annually, to account for Seattle’s high cost of living. Parents voiced strong support for the teachers, despite potential disruption to the school year.
Alicia Brown, a parent of a third grader, expressed hope for an agreement, stating teachers “need to be cared for too.” Other parents, like Candie Riley, supported a strike if necessary, and many joined teachers on picket lines or signed a letter urging the district to negotiate. Negotiators reached a tentative agreement on September 1, averting the strike and allowing school to begin on September 2.
The deal included a pay raise for teachers, and union leaders celebrated the outcome as a step toward making Seattle Public Schools a leading employer. The parents’ backing proved crucial in achieving a resolution.
