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Teachers announce they intend to strike in Sandy
Monday, October 17, 2005 | No comments posted.
SANDY (AP) - Teachers at the Oregon Trail School District have announced their intention to strike, after failing to reach an agreement with district officials on issues ranging from health care to employee discipline.
The official notification, which was faxed to the district headquarters in Sandy on Friday, said the teachers intend to begin their strike Tuesday, Oct. 25, if the two sides fail to reach an agreement on Oct. 24, when the teachers and the district are scheduled to meet with a state mediator.
Sticking points include a lack of agreement on salary, health benefits, paid leave, employee discipline, working conditions and the length of the teacher contract.
Last week, the school board voted to close all the schools in the event of a strike.
Even if an agreement is reached Oct. 24, the more than 4,200 students in the district will still lose one day of school.
”We would have no way to notify the community before Tuesday morning,“ said Julia Monteith, district communications coordinator. ”We would likely spend Tuesday notifying parents so students could return on Wednesday.“
The Wy'East Education Association and the district began negotiating in April 2004. By December, the teachers asked for the help of a state mediator. In June of 2005, the district declared an impasse.
In August, the district imposed its final proposal without the consent of the teachers, saying it was imperative they start the school year with a new contract in place.
The teachers had the choice of either accepting the terms of the new contract or going ahead with a strike. If the teachers follow through, they will become only the second school district in Oregon to twice walk off the job.
In 1997, Oregon Trail teachers went on strike for seven days.
There have been 18 teacher strikes in Oregon, since the collective bargaining law went into effect in 1973.
The Oregon Trail district spans 425 square miles, including the communities of Sandy, Boring, Government Camp and Welches.
The official notification, which was faxed to the district headquarters in Sandy on Friday, said the teachers intend to begin their strike Tuesday, Oct. 25, if the two sides fail to reach an agreement on Oct. 24, when the teachers and the district are scheduled to meet with a state mediator.
Sticking points include a lack of agreement on salary, health benefits, paid leave, employee discipline, working conditions and the length of the teacher contract.
Last week, the school board voted to close all the schools in the event of a strike.
Even if an agreement is reached Oct. 24, the more than 4,200 students in the district will still lose one day of school.
”We would have no way to notify the community before Tuesday morning,“ said Julia Monteith, district communications coordinator. ”We would likely spend Tuesday notifying parents so students could return on Wednesday.“
The Wy'East Education Association and the district began negotiating in April 2004. By December, the teachers asked for the help of a state mediator. In June of 2005, the district declared an impasse.
In August, the district imposed its final proposal without the consent of the teachers, saying it was imperative they start the school year with a new contract in place.
The teachers had the choice of either accepting the terms of the new contract or going ahead with a strike. If the teachers follow through, they will become only the second school district in Oregon to twice walk off the job.
In 1997, Oregon Trail teachers went on strike for seven days.
There have been 18 teacher strikes in Oregon, since the collective bargaining law went into effect in 1973.
The Oregon Trail district spans 425 square miles, including the communities of Sandy, Boring, Government Camp and Welches.
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