Washougal Teachers Strike Update: No School Rest of This Week

Washougal WA — The Washougal School District has announced the cancellation of school for both Thursday, August 30 and Friday, August 31 due to the ongoing Washougal Association of Educators (WAE) strike.  After-school sports and activities will continue as planned.

“We understand how difficult it has been on Washougal families and students with the daily uncertainty of whether or not school will be held,” said Mary Templeton, WSD Superintendent.  “For that reason, and to continue negotiations, we are making the decision now to cancel school both days before the long Labor Day weekend.”

WSD remains hopeful that the first day of school will be Tuesday, September 4.  The district has committed to communicating with parents at least 24 hours ahead of time if there will not be school on Tuesday.  In the event an agreement is reached, the association will need time to present it to their membership and vote to ratify it.

“We remain committed to working with the association to reach an agreement so that we can all get back to serving the children in our community,” Templeton said.  “We believe our proposal supports our well-deserving teachers, is fair and equitable and is something the Washougal community can sustain over time.”

At Tuesday’s Washougal School Board meeting, Templeton removed Action D from the agenda, which would have authorized her to use legal means to end the strike, which the district views as illegal. That removal came at the very beginning of the meeting. There is precedent for using legal maneuvers to end strikes in Washington state history. At times, parent groups filed suit.

Here’s a look at some of the history:

• 2011: Tacoma teachers strike — Pierce County Superior Court Judge Bryan Chuschcoff ordered teachers to return to work under threat of monetary fine if they failed to comply.
• 2009: Kent teachers strike — King County Superior Court Judge Andrea Darvas issued an injunction to end the strike. The strike ended under threat of monetary fine from Darvas.
• 2003: Marysville teachers strike — Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Linda Krese ordered the strike to end, saying “Public employee strikes are illegal under the common law of Washington. The [Marysville Education Association] strike violates the prohibition on public-employee strikes and is an illegal strike.”
• 2002: Issaquah teachers strike —  King County Superior Court Judge Joan Dubuque declared the strike illegal and threatened to fine teachers who continue to strike.

There are 22 other recorded court orders mandating striking teachers return to work.

RCW 41.56.120 states the “right to strike not granted. Nothing contained in this chapter shall permit any public employee the right to strike or refuse to perform his or her official duties.”

The Washington Attorney General’s office, in 2006, wrote: “In Washington, state and public employees do not have a legally protected right to strike. No such right existed at common law, and none has been granted by statute.”

Templeton said she removed Action D from the agenda because she felt negotiations were progressing.

Several citizens and teachers spoke during the public comments period claiming the board isn’t giving the teachers money that the state authorized in the McCleary legislation. One even claimed the board was violating federal law by not being transparent with the public about how funds are used.

The board approved a $44 million budget for the 2018-19 school year, as well as resolutions that give the superintendent the power to close schools for security reasons during the strike.

Information on WSD/WAE bargaining can be found on the district’s website at www.washougal.k12.wa.us