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Seattle education officials have canceled classes again on Tuesday as negotiations continue with the teachers’ union that has previously postponed the start of the school year.
Seattle Public Schools said on its website on Monday, “We are continuing negotiations with the Seattle Education Association (SEA) regarding educator contracts.
Classes were scheduled to start on Sept. 7, but were postponed after union educators voted to approve a strike a day earlier, affecting nearly 50,000 students.
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“No one wants to strike,” SEA president Jennifer Matter said in a virtual message posted on social media at the time. Because we can’t go back to what we were before and we have to fight for something better.”
Unions are seeking pay increases and district policies to limit the workload of employees. The contract with the district expired last month. City officials initially suggested he raise his state-mandated 5.5% cost of living raise by 1.1%, but the SEA rejected the offer. Union leaders also say they want the city to hire more teachers to increase diversity.
The district said the union rejected a memorandum of understanding that would allow the school to start on time while negotiations continued between the groups.
To help families struggling to find childcare while schools remain closed, Seattle Parks and Recreation announced that starting Monday, its associated community center will serve as a recreation hub. Reportedly affiliated with the Recreation Council.
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Anders Hagstrom contributed to this report.