600 Albany teachers go on strike following failed negotiations
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Hundreds of teachers from Greater Albany Public Schools are going on strike Tuesday morning after failed negotiations overnight.
According to the Greater Albany Education Association, 600 teachers will begin striking at 7:45 a.m. outside 21 schools across the district.
The strike follows nine months of negotiations in which the teachers asked for better pay, school safety, and smaller classes, among other things.
The school's latest proposal included raises for experienced teachers and a 5% increase for cost of living, but the union called out the district for ignoring basic needs, like updating bathroom break coverage.
“The fact that the teachers are begging for covered guaranteed bathroom breaks, I’m running out of words to explain how upsetting I find that,” parent Kat Martinez said. “We love our teachers. I hope my kids get to go back to school real real soon.”
The union also said that the school district has a budget surplus of $15 million, however despite that extra money, under the districts best proposal, the teachers would still be the worst paid out of 35 comparable districts.
The final round of negotiations lasted into early Tuesday morning; however, the union said they couldn't reach an agreement.
After the strike begins, the various picket lines will be coming together Tuesday afternoon for a rally.
Classes at all Greater Albany Public Schools were canceled last night.
KOIN 6 News reached out to the school district for a comment but has not heard back yet.