Spokane teachers, administration work to avoid strike

In an effort to avoid a strike less than a week into the new school year, representatives from the Spokane Education Association and Spokane Public Schools agreed to spend all today negotiating. Previously, negotiators worked from 4 p.m. to around midnight, said SEA president Jenny Rose.

“I think both sides are very committed to coming to a tentative agreement,” Rose said.

Last week, the SEA voted to strike, starting Friday, if the union and district can’t compromise on a new contract. Representatives from the union and the district have been in talks since a state-provided mediator arrived Saturday.

“I’ve been hearing that they’re long nights,” Rose said. “There is frustration on how long this is taking, but at the same time the SEA bargainers aren’t going to give up.”

According to the union, one of the biggest challenges to a new contract is how much the district pays instructional assistants. Rose said the Spokane aides are some of the worst-paid state employees.

Spokane Public Schools spokesman Kevin Morrison said talks have been going well.

“All I can say is that things are looking very good, and as soon as we get any indication one way or another we would make it known,” Morrison said.

The union is not legally required to inform the district if they decide to strike, Morrison said. According to Rose the union notified the district that teachers will start striking at 7 a.m. on Friday if no agreement is reached.

“I think we’ll have a pretty good feeling by midnight on Thursday,” Rose said.

She added that the union is ready to strike if necessary.

“If it happens, we will be out there on the sidewalks Friday morning,” she said.

On Monday and Tuesday night the Spokane Public Schools Board of Directors held a closed session. Rose said she hoped the board would give district bargainers more room.

Other local unions have expressed support and committed to not crossing picket lines if the SEA does call a strike, Rose said.