Seattle Teachers Union Authorizes Strike Amid Stalled Contract Negotiations

The Seattle Education Association (SEA), representing approximately 6,000 teachers and other school employees, has authorized union leadership to call a strike if a contract agreement is not reached before the school year begins on September 2. Approximately 91% of voting SEA members approved the strike authorization. Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Ben Shuldiner publicly challenged the union, accusing it of escalating demands and stating his priority is students. Salaries remain a chief concern, with the union seeking a 6% pay raise for teachers and a 12% raise for paraprofessionals over three years, plus cost-of-living adjustments, while the district has proposed a 9% raise over three years without COA adjustments.