Salem-Keizer Public Schools teachers stage ‘practice picket’ as strike date nears
The Salem Keizer Education Association held a “practice picket” outside district headquarters Wednesday afternoon as the date for a potential teacher strike nears.
The association, which represents about 2,300 teachers and other educators, declared an impasse Feb. 15 in its contract negotiations with Salem-Keizer Public Schools, the state’s second-largest school district.
A strike could begin as soon as April 1. District officials have said they will close all schools if teachers strike.
Both the district and the union have said they’ll continue to talk, and formal mediation sessions were held on Feb. 26 and Wednesday.
Both sides declined to provide updates on bargaining. SKEA posted a negotiation summary on its website Wednesday morning, showing the sides still are apart on issues around compensation, safety, retirement incentives and training.
Salem-Keizer has about 38,787 students across its 65 elementary, middle and high schools.
On Feb. 23, the district reached a tentative contract agreement with ASK ESP, the union representing about 2,500 district support staff. The three-year agreement still must be voted on by union members and approved by the Salem-Keizer School Board.
Tracy Loew covers education at the Statesman Journal. Send comments, questions and tips: tloew@statesmanjournal.com or 503-399-6779. Follow her on Twitter at @Tracy_Loew
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Salem-Keizer Public Schools teachers union strike date nears
