Issaquah Schools Staff Strike Likely Averted

ISSAQUAH, WA - The Issaquah School District has reached an agreement with unions representing staff and paraeducators over cost-of-living pay increases, avoiding a strike that was set to begin on Tuesday.

The workers, represented by the PSE SEIU Local 1948 and SEIU 925 unions, voted to authorize a strike over the pay raises almost two weeks ago. The district said it could not grant cost-of-living raises because the state had not provided funding for them.

The district and the unions began talks to avert a strike last weekend. On Thursday night, a strike committee agreed to a 3.1 percent raise for the workers - 1.9 percent for the 2018-19 school year, and 1.2 percent for the next school year.

“I’m so proud of our members and all the hard work they have put into getting this Tentative Agreement. After four months of campaigning by union members, including packing school board meetings, the Strike Committees were pleased to see this offer. We're excited to present our win to the full membership on Tuesday,” said PSE SEIU Local 1948 President Emily Freet in a press release Friday.

The unions will vote on the agreement on Tuesday.