MOSES LAKE, Wash. — Moses Lake teachers will strike Monday if contract negotiations fail during Sunday’s final mediation session, according to the Moses Lake Education Association.
The Moses Lake Education Association voted to authorize the strike after months of unsuccessful bargaining with Superintendent Carol Lewis, the union announced. The union represents 439 district educators.
Union President Heather Whittall said teachers have compromised since June negotiations began, but district leadership has not.
“We have bargained in good faith since June, and have made significant concessions to settle this bargain,” Whittall said in a statement. “But district Superintendent Lewis continues to place the financial burden for her personal agenda directly on the backs of teachers.”
The union criticizes Lewis for prioritizing administrative spending over classroom investments, including cuts to required professional development, according to Whittall.
“It is clear that Superintendent Lewis does not understand that teachers are the number one factor in student success,” Whittall said. “The district has the money and plenty of savings, as evidenced by their ability to settle a fair contract with building principals and directors.”
Both teams meet Sunday for final mediation, the union said.
“We remain hopeful,” Whittall said. “We all want to be back in our classrooms with our students on Monday.”
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