Union tells Seattle teachers they will be taking strike authorization vote Thursday
SEATTLE -- The Seattle Education Association told public school teachers Tuesday they will be taking a strike authorization vote Thursday because there is no tentative contract agreement with the district.
"Negotiations ended at about 4 pm Tuesday," the SEA said in its bargaining update on its blog. "That means we'll be taking a strike vote when we meet Thursday."
The strike vote will take place at Benaroya Hall, with the meeting to start at 5 p.m. Thursday.
The association also reminded teachers that informational picketing will take place Wednesday from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at these high schools -- Chief Sealth, West Seattle, Rainier Beach, Franklin, Garfield, Ballard, Roosevelt, Ingraham and Nathan Hale.
Seattle Public Schools students are scheduled to begin classes on Sept. 9. But the first day of school could be in jeopardy.
The two sides are also far apart on other key issues, including salary increases.
In Seattle, first-time teachers earn about $44,000. That salary can increase up to $86,000 if the teacher has a PhD.
Educators say the district's proposed pay hike of 8.2% over three years is too small.
Seattle Public Schools issued this update on the talks:
"SEA has proposed a salary increase of 21 percent over a three year contract period—in addition to the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) from the state (25.8 percent total over three years).
"The district has listened to concerns and has increased the salary compensation proposal to 8.2 percent over the same three year period—in addition to the state COLA (13 percent total over three years).
"Providing a 13 percent increase over three years would enable our teachers to be among the highest paid in the state, which they well deserve," the district said on its website.
The Seattle Education Association said it initially asked for a 21% pay increase over the next three years. That is in addition to the nearly 5% cost of living adjustment. SEA says the 21% is off the table, and they are negotiating on another number.