STRIKE UPDATE: Kent teachers vote by wide margin to picket

The Kent Education Association Wednesday night voted overwhelmingly to go on strike.

More than 86 percent of the more than 1,500 Kent teachers in attendance at Kentlake High School cast their ballots to strike.

"This time the Kent Education Association are here to stand up for what is right and good," said KEA President Lisa Brackin-Johnson in announcing the results of the vote.

Brackin-Johnson began her short speech talking about "time," one of the union's top concerns during this bargaining period. The union is seeking more time for teachers to spend planning and working with students.

Class sizes were also a major issue for union leadership and the members who came streaming out of the Kentlake gymnasium following the vote. The union has emphasized high class sizes in the Kent district, which they say the district has still not addressed during bargaining.

Teachers also spoke of a lack of respect from the district leadership.

District Communications Director Becky Hanks said the district was disappointed in the vote.

"It is very disappointing to learn that teachers have made this choice," she said.

Hanks said the district put forth a new proposal at Wednesday's bargaining, which addressed more of the union's concerns, including a promise to convene a group of teachers, administrators, community members and other stakeholders to address class size.

The proposal, however, did not reach union hands until 3 p.m., the very end of bargaining for the day. Union members pointed to the timing of the 40-page proposal when asked for examples of a lack of respect, saying the district knew it would come too late before the the evening's membership meeting and that the district had plenty of time to make a proposal.

Hanks said the timing had nothing to do with attitude.

"It was a matter of getting the pieces together as quick as possible," she said.

While teachers are officially on strike, negotiations will continue beginning at 10 a.m. Thursday morning. Teachers are also expected to begin picketing outside their schools at the usual start time Thursday.

School was scheduled to start Monday, but the strike will push that off indefinitely. However, high school athletics will continue due to separate bargaining units between coaches and teachers.

The union has reserved time for another vote Sunday if a contract settlement can be reached, but Brackin-Johnson said the union would be willing to stay on picket lines if there is no settlement.

"As long as it takes," she said.

For more information on the negotiations and the differences between the two sides, visit the KEA site or the official District site.

Contact Covington Reporter Reporter Brian Beckley at bbeckley@courierherald.com.

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