Jesse Hagopian, who is a veteran high school teacher in Seattle, writes here about the Seattle teachers’ strike:
Members of the Seattle Education Association—the union that represents Seattle’s teachers, nurses, librarians, instructional assistants, office professionals and educational support staff—voted Tuesday, September 6 to authorize a strike, which was triggered when the Seattle Public Schools (SPS) did not meet the just demands of the union. After SPS failed to even show up to the bargaining table on Friday and Saturday, about 95% of SEA members voted to authorize the strike, with some 75% of the members voting.
Wednesday, September 7th was supposed to have been the first day of school for 50,000 students who attend Seattle Public Schools—but the strike will close all of the schools until a contract is reached. The last time SEA went on strike was in 2015 when the union’s work stoppage won a visionary set of demands including, expanded racial equity teams, more recess time for students, an end to the use of standardized tests scores being used in teacher evaluations, and small wage increases.
Again today, a rank-and-file upsurge spurred the union to vote to strike for, among other issues, maintaining “staffing ratios for special education and multilingual learners and that the district seeks more staff input as it aims to provide services for those students in general education classrooms.” In addition, the union is demanding more counselors, nurses, and to increasing the wages of classified staff—including instructional assistants—so that they can afford to live in Seattle, a city with one of the highest costs of living.
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Diane Ravitch's blog 
I went on strike two times back in the 70s and I had no money. Was earning $12,000 a year. NOW IS THE TIME FOR ALL TEACHERS TO STRIKE TO TRASH THE TEST. Replace with demonstrated proficiencies. Assessment should be local.
IF NOT NOW, WHEN?
sadly, we see the big strikes and feel hope….but still the Test Issue is never resolved. Often it is not even mentioned by any who speak about the strike.
Seattle put it in their demands.
I went on strike once in the 1980s because the school board refused to budge or negotiate. The strike was successful and did not last long. A couple of teachers crossed the picket line and one was from my school. Nothing was done to him, he suffered no consequences and he received all the benefits that 99% of the teachers struck and fought for. One teacher from our school was a scab, I have no idea how he could walk into that school in full view of his fellow teachers. Takes a lot of chutzpah.
Striking for adequate support staff and living wages is the right thing to do. Go Seattle teachers!
At this time of students not being able to finish school, shame on you
Whatever time that was lost during the strike will be made up at the end of the school year, those lost days will be added on. No teacher wants to go on strike, it’s not fun, you don’t get paid but when a school board spits in your face and refuses to negotiate in good faith then a strike becomes necessary.
At a time of students not being able to finish school, the district refuses to use available funds to support them. Shame on them.
Teachers require a standard living wage.
It is an all consuming position as an educator
of our future adult population. Our entire society rests on high quality education for
everyone. Teachers are the most relevant
and influential people in a person’s life.
Acknowledging this crucial fact comes with great respect, honor and commensurate
Remuneration. Refer to the depth of commitment of educators who continually attend classes and meetings to produce the best academically solid learning for each child! We need to recognize the highest value placed in our teachers and do everything possible to support them in their
most important contribution to society and our world’s future.
Thank you, Carolyn. You are right. We forego our future if we don’t treasure teachers.