Seattle teachers prepare to strike if new contract isn't reached, 2 weeks from first day

Time is running out for Seattle Public Schools and the Seattle Education Association to reach a new contract agreement before the start of the upcoming school year.

The school district's thousands of students should return to the classroom on Sep. 2, but after months of negotiations, the teachers' union has threatened to strike if a deal isn't made.

The current contract between Seattle Public Schools (SPS) and the Seattle Education Association (SEA) will expire on Aug. 31.

Teachers most recently went on strike in 2022, during the last sizable negotiations, and delayed the start of the school year by one week.

"We don't want to go on strike, but if it means improving the working conditions and the learning conditions of our students, then we will," said Heather Barker.

Barker is an elementary school teacher in SPS and sits on the union's bargaining team. This year, Barker said the union's bargaining proposals focus on student outcomes.

This begins with the demand for reasonable class sizes, as well as access to social, emotional, and behavioral support for students, and improvements to the school district's Special Education program.

The union has also placed a focus on protecting teachers' working and planning time and reducing "pressurization."

"The district putting more and more tasks on our plate that don't actually impact the relationship with our students and our ability to meet our students where they are," Barker explained.

While SPS is currently seeking solutions to close an estimated $87 million budget deficit, the teachers' union has asked for salary increases, though at a more modest rate than in years past.

Certificated educators would receive the following salary increases, in addition to an annual inflationary adjustment, under SEA's current proposal:

"Budgets are documents that show where priorities are or what is valued," Barker said.

Some SPS parents said their children have been eagerly waiting to return to the classroom, and they hope the upcoming 2026-27 school year isn't delayed.

"I have one [child] that did online school last year, so he's looking forward to getting back to in-person," said Luvissa Vidal, a mother to four SPS students. "I have one that's leaving elementary, going into middle school, so she's pretty excited."

Others told KOMO News they support educators in this labor fight: "I support the teachers; I understand why they do," said Meryem Can.

A representative for SPS wrote in an email to KOMO News that the district recognizes more work needs to be done but remains optimistic of what the two parties can accomplish through bargaining.

"Our bargaining approach is focused on meeting our students' needs while responsibly sustaining our limited public dollars over the long term. This is consistent with direction from the School Board through a resolution adopted in July, which directs the district to bargain in good faith, with mutual respect, and in a manner that supports the district's long-term fiscal health."

"The process is ongoing. The district is at the table on a near-daily basis and deeply engaged. Bargaining works best between the parties, in good faith, at the table — and that is where our focus remains."

Members of SEA are aiming to vote on a tentative contract deal in an upcoming meeting on Aug. 26. The outcome of that vote will determine teachers' next steps before the start of the upcoming school year.