Banning strikes by teachers…
The state teachers' union says that the bills are unnecessary.
"Strikes are a last resort. They are rare," said Lucinda Young, with the Washington Education Association.
Backers of the proposals, including the Washington Association of School Administrators, say the state needs to send a clear message that such strikes will not be tolerated. The bill allows for up to a daily $10,000 penalty against striking employee organizations.
Both bills are long shots -- only a few senators have signed on as co-sponsors, and less than three weeks ago, the WEA reminded lawmakers of its political clout by bringing more than 22,000 people to Olympia -- the largest demonstration at the capitol in more than a decade.