Kshama Sawant: Teachers have come under ‘ferocious assault’

UPDATE: Seattle teachers and the school district have reached a tentative agreement that could end the strike. The teachers’ union will review the details and then vote.

—Original story—

Teachers have received a blessing from the Seattle City Council.

Council member Kshama Sawant, a teacher and member of the American Federation of Teachers Local 1789, showed her support of the teacher strike by introducing a resolution that declared Sept. 14-18 as Seattle Educators Week. The council passed the resolution unanimously.

“Over the past decades public education has come under ferocious assault by successive Republican and Democratic administrations across the country,” Sawant said. “Public schools have been deeply underfunded and teachers have been pushed to increasingly focus on standardized testing. There has been an attempt to dismantle public education, first with vouchers, and now with charter schools.”

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The resolution “requests” Seattle Public Schools continues to negotiate in good faith with the Seattle Education Association and bring the strike to a “speedy conclusion.”

“If the union wins, it will be a huge step forward for the students and educators who make up Seattle Public Schools,” Sawant said. “However, a victory for the union is also a victory for education across the country. It shows that if we organize and remain united, we can resist attacks on public education.”

Sawant donated $500 to the strike fund and plans to donate another $500. She encouraged her fellow council members to do the same.