Frustration Grows as Centralia Teachers Union Continues Contract Negotiations with District

Members of the Centralia Education Association teachers union are expressing increasing frustration over a perceived lack of progress in ongoing contract negotiations with the Centralia School District. Teachers have picketed on school property and engaged in a 14th bargaining session with district representatives and a mediator. Key concerns include class sizes, workloads, new initiatives without adequate resources, safety, behavior supports, and a "reasonable" cost of living pay increase. The previous two-year contract expired in August.