—ON THE PICKET LINE—

Maggie Trowe, Editor

 

Teachers in Kelso, Wash., return to work after 11-day strike

KELSO, Wash. — After striking for 11 days and defying a judge’s back-to-work order, members of the Kelso Education Association voted 226-0 to approve a contract and return to work Sept. 28.

The teachers, who were working without a contract since June, voted to strike Sept. 16. Two days later Cowlitz District Court Judge David Koss ordered the 250 teachers back to work by Sept. 22. The teachers voted 221-20 to defy the injunction and continue their walkout.

The main sticking point for teachers was compensation for nonteaching days, preparatory time and grading papers.

“We are willing to do extra work and have an increased load of students,” said Angie Blum, a teacher for 29 years, on the picket line Sept. 21, “but we want to be compensated for this.”

The new contract provides pay for 10 extra days, two more than the school district proposed, five this year and five more next year. Teachers had demanded 13 days.

The judge found the union and its president, Sharon Dolan, in contempt of court Sept. 25 and said he would fine the union $2,000 a day starting Sept. 28 if teachers didn’t return to work.

Kelso is adjacent to Longview, where the International Longshore and Warehouse Union fought the EGT grain terminal bosses’ union-busting assault in 2011-12, and the Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers recently struck KapStone Paper.

During the strike parents and students as well as postal and longshore unionists joined the picketing.

“Washington state is 42nd in class size nationwide and they are increasing the number of students we teach in a year,” Lonna Devora, a science teacher at Coweeman Middle School, told the Militant Sept. 21. “Kelso teachers want equitable pay with Longview and other nearby districts. In addition they are lengthening the school day without any compensation.”

“The teachers are teaching the next generation and they are always there for us,” said Kyle Torgerson, a junior at Kelso High, who was on the line with his picket sign.

Several teachers are spouses of Kapstone workers, and others said they were inspired by Seattle and Pasco teachers who recently struck for better contracts.

—Edwin Fruit and John Naubert

After one-week strike, Seattle teachers approve contract

SEATTLE — After a weeklong strike, Seattle teachers voted 83 percent to accept a proposed contract Sept. 20.

While the main demand was a pay increase and compensation for longer days, the union made gains on other issues that helped garner community support. These included increased recess time for elementary school students, opposition to excessive student testing and concern about racial discrimination in discipline of students.

At the ratification meeting teachers expressed a range of opinions about the contract.

“I feel good about it,” third grade teacher Jill McGrath told the Militant. “There is room for improvement. The parents are backing us. Now it’s the legislature’s turn to do their part to find the funding to support education.”

“Those most opposed to the contract were nurses and counselors who were trying to lower the number of students they are responsible for,” said administrative secretary Paula Murray.

“I support the union,” said Peter Koslik, a special education instructional assistant. “But I’m learning quickly that I’m working a job that doesn’t cover my cost of living. Boeing gets multimillion dollar handouts but teachers can’t get a raise that covers what it costs to live in Seattle. A lot of good people are busting their hind ends to help the children.”

Brian Black, a history teacher at Franklin High school, said the strike and settlement “are an important victory for working people. We won some important concessions from the school district. We discovered our collective power. That being said, we could have won more. The union leadership was not prepared to lead the kind of fight that the rank-and-file was ready to wage.” He added, “Thanks for putting an article in the Militant about the strike.”

— Edwin Fruit and John Naubert

 
 
Related articles:
Join Oct. 11 march for rail safety in Quebec!
Rail workers framed up for gov’t, boss disaster
Steelworkers picket ArcelorMittal mills protesting bosses’ cutback demands
VW scandal: Bosses junk safety in drive for profits
Deaths on the job rise as union membership falls