Striking Tacoma teachers remain off the job despite a court order that told them to report for work, and schools are closed for a fourth straight day as the teachers union and school district prepare for a courtroom face-off today.
Hundreds of striking teachers and their supporters are rallying outside the central administration building this morning.
They're carrying signs with message like, "School Board collaborate and listen," and "We support our Tacoma teachers."
"We would like to be with our kids. But we want a fair contract. In order to be with our kids, we need a fair contract," said longtime Jason Lee Middle School teacher Andy Sayer.
One group chanted "93 percent, 93 percent" as they marched around the building, referring to the results of Thursday's vote by members of the Tacoma Education Association to stay on strike.
Teachers returned to picket lines this morning, after more than 1,500 Thursday's overwhelming vote in defiance of Pierce County Superior Court Judge Bryan Chushcoff's temporary restraining order.
Bargaining resumed Thursday and is scheduled to continue this morning – a condition that was also part of Wednesday’s order by Chushcoff. The union presented a proposal that touched on the three major unresolved issues: pay, class size and contract language governing teacher transfers and reassignments.
“Our negotiating team determined that it needed to evaluate the impacts of that proposal,” said school district spokesman Dan Voelpel. “We were not encouraged.”
The union said the district did not offer a response to its proposal.
At 1:30 p.m., lawyers for both Tacoma Public Schools and the Tacoma Education Association union are scheduled to appear in court before Chushcoff so he can determine whether the parties have complied with his order.
The school district filed a request Thursday for an expedited hearing after teachers took to the picket lines instead of reporting for work as the district had asked. But Tyler Firkins, attorney for the union, said he was not available for a hearing Thursday.
At the Dome on Thursday, 1,585 teachers showed up for a union meeting, and 1,478 of them voted to keep the strike going, said TEA President Andy Coons. TEA rules for declaring the strike initially were more stringent than those required to continue the strike, union officials said. Thursday’s action required only a simple majority of members present at the Dome. The initial strike vote needed 80 percent of the entire membership to take effect.
“Each time we have this vote, it gets stronger,” Coons said. “You are sending a message to Tacoma’s administration and School Board to listen to your teachers.”
School district officials say the judge’s order Wednesday was clear: that teachers should go back to work while negotiating continues.
“I sat in the courtroom (Wednesday) and listened very carefully to what the judge said – and read his order,” said Voelpel. “I didn’t see anything that indicated to me that his decision was up for a vote.”
At the Dome, teachers said that even though they remain off the job, they are looking forward to productive negotiations.
“I am very glad the school district is back at the negotiating table with us,” said John Uthus, a Foss High School teacher. He said teachers were ready to start contract talks in March but the district didn’t start until late May.
“I will be walking a picket line until a fair settlement is reached,” he said.
He said he’s not worried about what Chushcoff will do in court today.
“I believe the judge will be fair and impartial,” Uthus said.
Wilson High School teacher Betina Stanley said she joined the strike because district negotiators wouldn’t budge on proposed contract language that educators fear would be too subjective when transfers are considered.
“We don’t want to be treated subjectively,” she said. “We wouldn’t do that to our students.”
Many parents are backing teachers on the picket lines, walking with them and bringing coffee and snacks. Others marched downtown with students.
“I’m supporting the teachers because (Superintendent Art) Jarvis is a bully,” said Nancy Coogan, parent of a Wilson High School student. “He needs to stop being a bully and be a leader.”
Other parents were beginning to show signs of strike fatigue Thursday.
Delia Trujillo, interviewed at her Portland Avenue home, said she doesn’t have strong feelings about the issues surrounding the strike but doesn’t understand why a resolution couldn’t be found before school began.
“This just delays children’s learning,” said the mother of three.
Trujillo has been working a temporary job at the Puyallup Fair and had to take time away to care for her two younger kids. Trujillo has paid $150 to a neighbor to care for her children, and said the neighbor has school-age kids home, too.
“We pay taxes for our children’s education, and where is it going?” Trujillo said. “They’re home.”
One parent who contacted The News Tribune on Thursday said she was afraid to give her name because she fears repercussions. She said she’s upset with teachers breaking the law but also thinks the district needs to get a new mediator to help settle the issues.
“There is a lot of animosity growing between parents and teachers, causing divides in friendships and families,” the mom said. “This strike is causing much bigger issues than just disrupting our children’s right to an education.”
Mary Richards said her son cried Thursday when she told him he would have to wait a little longer for kindergarten to start. She filmed his reaction and posted it on YouTube.
Richards said teaching is hard work and she supports those who devote their lives to it – but she doesn’t support a strike.
“I could never be a teacher. They do need support from parents, from the community and from the administration,” said the mother who just relocated to Tacoma from Tennessee.
“However, I don’t think having a strike and making sure school is canceled is the best way to do it.”
Debbie Cafazzo: 253-597-8635
debbie.cafazzo@thenewstribune.com
Staff writers Adam Ashton and Kathleen Cooper contributed to this report.
JOIN THE DISCUSSION | Register here
We welcome comments. Please keep them civil, short and to the point. ALL CAPS, spam, obscene, profane, abusive and off topic comments will be deleted. Repeat offenders will be blocked. Thanks for taking part — and abiding by these simple rules. A thorough explanation of rules of conduct can be found in our Terms of Service. If you have any questions, including why your comment may not be showing immediately after you submit it, be sure to visit the commenting FAQ.