Snohomish Education Association Teacher Herald Net Article

Published on HeraldNet on Saturday, September 14, 2002
Marathon session fails to end strike

Snohomish talks to resume today

Herald Writer

SNOHOMISH -- Talks aimed at ending a 13-day teachers' strike that has delayed school for about 8,200 Snohomish School District students broke off Thursday night without resolution. The Snohomish School District and teachers union plan to meet again today.

Thursday's discussions marked the first time the two sides had met since talks broke down Sunday afternoon. Thursday's session started at 10 a.m., and the negotiators took a short recess and resumed talks before stopping at 9 p.m.

Negotiating teams for the teachers and district plan to meet separately for most of today before talking face-to-face again at 6 p.m., said district spokeswoman J. Marie Merrifield.

With growing pressure from the community, the district wanted to stay at the table until a tentative agreement was reached. The union also vowed to work late into the night to bring an end to the negotiations.

Teachers have been on strike since Sept. 4, the first day of school scheduled for students. The union has been pushing for salary increases and the district to contribute more to its insurance costs.

The district said it does not have the money to meet those demands and fulfill its obligations to update curriculum and technology and catch up on maintenance repairs.

You can call Herald Writer Diana Hefley at 425-339-3463 or send e-mail to hefley@heraldnet.com.