A few weeks ago, close to 99% of P.A.T. members voted to strike, if necessary, with 93% of the membership turning out to vote. Unless the parties achieve a last-minute tentative agreement at the bargaining table when they meet tomorrow (10/31), thousands of Portland Association of Teachers members will go on strike on Wednesday.
If it happens, this would be the first-ever strike by the P.A.T. membership in the local's history.
Below you'll find summaries of the issues, ways that you can support the strike, and FAQs for parents who will be directly affected by the strike. You'll also find a link to the Family Friendly Fund application, where you can apply for reimbursement of additional childcare costs you might incur if the P.A.T. strike occurs.
Why Strike?
The P.A.T.'s bargaining issues center around the failure of PPS Administration to invest millions of available dollars into the critical on-the-ground needs of Portland's students. While these needs are long-standing, they have been greatly exacerbated by the pandemic.
Portland's public school students deserve better than the crowded, under-staffed schools they now attend. Meeting their needs is also important to the future of the tri-county area. What's more, PPS's learning conditions have a direct effect on Portland State University, since many of our students come from local high schools. |
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