Teachers file labor complaint against Kent School District

The Kent Education Association, a local arm of the statewide public school teachers’ union, has filed a complaint of unfair labor practice against the Kent School District.

The local union (KEA) and the umbrella organization, Washington Education Association, claims the district has repeatedly violated state labor law in its dealings with KEA, which represents the district’s approximately 1,800 teachers.

Included in the complaint, which was submitted to the Washington Public Employees Relations Commission (PERC), is the district’s alleged failure to negotiate with the association on program changes that increase teachers’ workload. KEA cited high school advisory and the “One-to-one” laptop computer program in middle schools as examples.

“KEA members are dedicated to providing the best possible education to successfully prepare students for their future,” said KEA president Lisa Brackin-Johnson. “To do so, teachers need to play a meaningful role in determining how programs will be implemented so that we can make sure that teachers will have enough available time to meet the needs of their students.”

Other allegations include suppression of union activities, subcontracting teachers through outside agencies, failure to properly heat schools before staff and students arrive, and failure to maintain negotiated benefits, abide by grievance settlements and bargain in good faith.

Becky Hanks, a district spokeswoman, said Wednesday that district officials are “disappointed” that KEA felt a labor complaint is necessary. She said the complaint is the first of its kind against the district in at least 10 years.

PERC, a state agency that mediates labor disputes involving public employees, reviews complaints of unfair labor practice before deciding whether to conduct a hearing on any of the allegations. Hearings result in a written decision that can be appealed to the commission.

Hanks said that because PERC’s review is pending, district officials won’t comment on KEA’s specific allegations. But she said the union's action is "troubling and interesting" because the two sides had "mutually agreed to mediate some issues that couldn't be resolved through the negotiations process."

Certain parts of the union's contract with the district have been under discussion, although the contract runs through the rest of the current school year.

Brackin-Johnson said the union has “repeatedly tried to resolve" issues cited in the complaint through "district administrators. We are deeply disappointed by the blatant disregard they have shown for the rights of our members, and they have now forced us to take this step."

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