Judge: Tacoma could replace striking teachers

KNKX Public Radio | By The Associated Press

Published September 19, 2011 at 12:48 PM PDT

TACOMA, Wash. — A Pierce County Superior Court judge says he's considering giving the Tacoma school district the option to hire replacement teachers for those on the picket line.

The News Tribune reports that Judge Bryan Chushcoff's comment came in a Monday hearing.

District spokesman Dan Voelpel says the district did not request a replacement order.

The strike in Washington's third-largest school district has idled 28,000 students and sent most of its 1,900 teachers to picket lines.

Teachers voted to strike Sept. 12 and voted again last week to remain on strike despite a judge's order to return to work. The next court hearing is set for Sept. 27.

Union spokesman Rich Woood says talks with the district are scheduled to restart Monday afternoon.

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