Spokane teachers OK one-year contract; avert strike

Spokane Education Association members approved a tentative one-year contract on Tuesday, avoiding a possible strike. The Spokane Public Schools board is expected to approve the contract at tomorrow’s board meeting. “I’m just so, so happy the members here tonight recognized the hard work the bargaining teams did,” said union President Jenny Rose. “I would do a happy dance but I’m not a good dancer.” The one-year contract passed with 1,380 yes votes out of 1457 totals ballots. As expected the contract agreement increased salaries for instructional assistants and nutrition service workers. However, all bargaining groups received some increases. Nutrition service workers saw a 9.5 percent increase as did instructional assistants. “We’re not striking,” said Linwood Elementary teacher Chuck Parker. “The kids are taken care of. That’s the important thing.”