Local 302 Contract Watch

Update 2:

The Seattle Times now has a story on this topic. 

It looks like a strike will occur because the district and Local 302 cannot find agreement. The SEA says it stands in solidarity with the union but it's unclear if they will cross a picket line.

The Times also says:

"Teamsters Local 174 and the Joint Council of Teamsters No. 28 are also in support of the union. If all three unions refuse to cross the picket line, it’s unlikely SPS would be able to open schools Wednesday."

stay tuned

Update 1:

My update on the situation is no update. I have looked at both the SPS website AND Twitter and there is no news.

However, a couple of teachers let me know that as long as they do not empty trash or clean, they can teach. I had no idea that was a thing. And apparently, administrators and office staff will have to somehow man the lunchrooms if Local 302 decides to strike.

end of update

The last information from the district on the situation with the last labor contract - Local 302 representing custodians, lunchroom workers and others in school buildings - is from September 1. Partial (bold theirs):

The contract—which covers SPS custodians, culinary services, grounds, security, and alarm monitor teams—expired Aug. 31. We know how important these teams are for the success of our schools! 

It is not unusual to go past the contract end date for these negotiations. We will continue to update you as our progress continues. You can find future updates on the Seattle Public Schools website. 

Last week's Board meeting saw the district approve a new contract with Seattle/King County Building and Construction Trades Council. That group got a 6.6% increase retroactive to September 2022 and for this year, 4.7%, both amounts inclusive of inflation. I would think Local 302 knows this and may be holding out for more.

Bottom line is that if the district doesn't get this done - with money they appear to not have despite needing to hire outside counsel to sue the City over Alki Elementary School zoning variances - there will be a strike and it will mean most school personnel, including teachers.

Union members do NOT ever cross a union picket line. 

I'll keep checking and putting updates here.

One other item to note is that right before the Board meeting, there was the induction of the new student board members. At the time, the agenda reflects two but there is another one, Lola van der Neuit, a senior at West Seattle High. Here's the link to the student board member page:Van der Neuit states:

“I have a strong passion for community involvement, and when I saw there was an opportunity to join the Seattle School Board as a student member, I felt I could serve as the voice of my fellow students … especially those with a learning disability.” 

Lola hopes to establish a way for students to feel heard, giving them the ability to provide specific feedback about their experience at school. She also wants to advocate for a drug education program that is relevant and resonates with teens. 

Lola believes students today lack motivation and are uninspired to do well in school.  

“Even one assembly a year that hosts a motivational speaker could change lives,” she said. “I would advocate for a program … covering topics like productivity, communication, relationships, health, diet, career, college, financial literacy, resume training, and coping mechanisms.”

 I am very impressed and I agree there needs to be more drug education in high schools. And that last paragraph? Right on the money.

As well on this page is more info about the other new member, Aayush Muthuswamy. He is one busy guy at Lincoln High School. He's a senior and student body president. He says:

“I’ve seen time and time again adults around me and my peers make decisions on our behalf – decisions that directly impact every part of our day-to-day lives – without consulting us, and these decisions negatively impact our ability to learn and our right to feel safe.” 

Aayush is deeply passionate about school safety. He knows it is a multifaceted issue, but at the board level, he will advocate for more mental health therapists to help students address problems before they escalate.