SEATTLE — The Seattle Education Association (SEA) voted to suspend their strike after reaching a tentative agreement with Seattle Public Schools (SPS).
The first day of school was scheduled to begin on Wednesday, Sept. 7, but it was pushed back several times due to the picket. School will officially begin on Wednesday, Sept. 14.
The two sides reached an agreement on Monday after working with a mediator. The union said educators went on strike over issues involving pay, mental health support, and staffing ratios for special education and multilingual students.
The tentative agreement is for a three-year contract that includes a 7% raise for union-represented teachers in the first year. Under the agreement, special education ratios will also be maintained and improved in some areas. It also includes adding baseline mental health staffing in all schools and raises above IPD every year.
“We’re excited to get back into our classrooms and buildings, knowing that our action means we’ll have more of what our students and educators need to succeed,” said SEA President Jennifer Matter. “This has been a huge win for our public school students.”
A spokesperson for SPS said in a statement Monday, "We are proud to move in a direction that will better meet the needs of our students and staff. We are looking forward to beginning school and welcoming students and staff for the 2022-23 school year."
The first day of school will not be an early release day, instead next Wednesday, Sept. 21, will begin the 75-minute early release schedule, according to the district.
Students will have to make up five days due to the strike - they are required to attend 180 days. The dates will be negotiated by the district and teachers union before being approved by the school board.
Agreement details
As part of the proposed contract, union-represented teachers and school staff will get a 7% raise the first year, followed by a 4% raise over the next two school years. If the cost of living increases in the second and third years of the agreement, the wage increase will match it.
Additional expenditures will include hiring part-time social workers at some schools, hiring five certified nurses next year and creating a new racial equity advancement specialist position.
Under the contract, libraries will receive additional funding; those in schools with the highest needs will receive $50,000.
Special education will receive additional support, with professional development opportunities for teachers to support instructional practices to better serve students' learning needs.