Despite limited progress at the bargaining table over a long holiday weekend, Seattle Public Schools leaders have urged district families to begin making child care plans for their students in case the district's teachers go on strike this week.
Seattle teachers union members have voted to go on strike beginning Wednesday — the scheduled first day of school — if the two sides haven't reached an agreement on a new contract. A strike would close schools city-wide.
The two sides and a state mediator met over the weekend and on Labor Day for more talks without reaching an overall agreement. The district and teachers reached an accord that will ensure students receive at least 30 minutes of daily recess, which the union counted as a victory despite originally hoping to guarantee 45 minutes.
But agreement on other issues remained elusive, including on the crucial issue of teacher pay increases. District officials said Sunday they were offering a 10 percent salary bump over two years and teachers were seeking 16.8 percent.
Leaders of the union, the Seattle Education Association, have argued an increased flow of state funding makes it possible for the district to afford a larger increase. But district officials say the money is already spoken for and will be used to boost special education and buy new textbooks.
If there's no deal by Wednesday and schools are closed, the City of Seattle announced it will hold all-day camps for 850 students, aged 5-12, at 16 community centers on Sept. 9, 10 and 11. The district also released a list showing what school-based childcare providers plan to do in the event of a strike.
