Seattle teachers authorize strike, putting first day of school in jeopardy

Seattle teachers voted to authorize a strike Wednesday night, putting the first day of school in jeopardy.

The Seattle Education Association, which represents 6,000 teachers and faculty, voted overwhelmingly to approve a walkout if needed.

The union and Seattle Public Schools (SPS) are still bargaining around the clock. According to KIRO 7, they have held 24 negotiation sessions. Despite the frequent negotiations, the Seattle Education Association claimed the two sides have only agreed on roughly 12% of contract terms.

If the two sides can’t reach a deal by the end of the day Tuesday, Sept. 1, the strike would start the next day — the same day school is supposed to begin for approximately 50,000 students.

The union wants smaller class sizes, more special education staff, and raises above inflation.

“Our members have spoken, and we are united in our commitment to Seattle students,” Seattle Education Association Vice President and Lead Bargainer Davina Diaz told KIRO 7. “We are ready to keep working toward an agreement that gives educators the conditions we need to support every student and build the thriving schools our community deserves.”

Seattle teachers last walked out in 2022, which, in turn, delayed the start of the school year by five days. The teachers’ current contract does not end until Aug. 31, and both sides of the bargaining team claimed they will keep bargaining “around the clock” to prevent a strike.

According to the union, it has been negotiating a new contract since June. Last year, teachers worked on a one-year contract that increased pay by 2.5% and established safeguards regarding student discipline and classroom disruptions.

“Bargaining continues in good faith and with respect for our labor partners. The opportunity for conversation and progress remains,” SPS told KIRO Newsradio in a prepared statement Tuesday. “SPS is working to open the school year successfully with an agreement that centers our students, supports our educators, and keeps our school district fiscally viable into the future.”

The vote Wednesday night does not mean a strike is definitively happening, but a strike has been approved if negotiations continue to stall.

“We don’t want to, but we are ready to stand up for our students if the district forces us to,” the Seattle Education Association wrote in a social media post after the vote. “We return to the bargaining table tomorrow and will bargain every day to try to get to an agreement. We want to be back with our students, and we want to return with a contract that provides more of what our students need to succeed.”

New superintendent for SPS faces several obstacles

Ben Shuldiner became the SPS superintendent in February, inheriting an $87 million budget shortfall. Over the summer, he stated cuts, layoffs, and school closures are all options to address the district’s budget woes.

“Everything is on the table,” Shuldiner said in June. “When you’re $87 million in the hole, you can’t just pretend that money grows on trees.”

According to The Seattle Times, SPS enrollment has dropped by roughly 3,000 students over the last six years.

One money-saving method Shuldiner proposed was removing positions as they become vacant through retirement or staff departures, with the overall goal of reducing administrative layers and simplifying decision-making.

Teachers within SPS currently earn an average salary of $117,000 each year, according to the Seattle Education Association.

This is a developing story, check back for updates

Follow Frank Sumrall on X. Send news tips here.