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Pasco teachers to go on strike Tuesday after contract talks break down; 17,000 students affected

Published  August 31, 2015 9:43pm PDT
Associated Press



PASCO, Wash. (AP) — Union officials say Pasco teachers plan to go on strike Tuesday after contract talks broke down between the union and school district.

KEPR-TV reports (http://is.gd/4sVyWp ) that negotiations ended Monday afternoon without an agreement between the Pasco Association of Educators and the Pasco School District.

The school district said in a statement late Monday that school was canceled on Tuesday, delaying the start of the school year. The district also said it was disappointed union officials didn't directly tell them of their intent to strike.

The district serves about 17,000 students in southeast Washington.

The union's lead negotiator Matthew Polk tells KNDU-TV that it feels as if both sides are far apart but teachers are willing to work to get a settlement.

Negotiations aren't expected to resume until Wednesday.