More than 45,000 Portland students return to class for the first time since HALLOWEEN after teachers’ union reaches deal to end strike of 4,000 educators
- The Portland Association of Teachers (PAT) union called off its pickets on Sunday
- The union reached a historic wage agreement: an increase of 13.75 percent over three years
- It follows strikes over one of the largest school districts in the Pacific Northwest
More than 45,000 Portland students have returned to class for the first time since Halloween after a historic multimillion-dollar deal ended mass strikes.
The Portland Association of Teachers union has halted industrial action after securing a 13.75 percent pay increase for teachers over the next three years.
It described the deal, which amounts to an increase of between $6,900 and $13,400 per teacher, as the “largest wage increase in three years” that school staff has ever seen Oregon‘s largest city.
Teachers in the region were paid between $50,020 and $97,333 before the pay increase was agreed to. Portland Public Schoolsmeaning the massive increase will cost a conservative minimum of $28 million.
It comes after strike action by more than 4,000 teachers affected 45,000 students in 81 institutions in one of the largest school districts in the Pacific Northwest.
The Portland Association of Teachers (PAT) union has called off their pickets after securing what it described as the “largest three-year cost-of-living wage increase” ever seen by teachers in Oregon’s largest city. (Pictured: teachers demonstrating on the first day of strike, November 1)
The strike action by more than 4,000 teachers last month has affected 45,000 students at 81 schools in one of the largest school districts in the Pacific Northwest
Striking teachers marched across the Burnside Bridge in Portland, Oregon on Tuesday, November 21, 2023
Teachers marched out of the classrooms On November 1, a 23 percent increase was requested over the next three years, with the district responding with a 10.9 percent increase instead.
The 13.75 percent increase achieved on Sunday will continue over the next three years – with teachers getting a 6.25 percent increase in the first year, followed by 4.5 percent and 3 percent increases in subsequent years. years.
The union also provided additional benefits, such as a $1,500 stipend for bilingual teachers and a handful of days a year for lesson planning.
The Portland Association of Teachers (PAT) described the deal as a “watershed moment” and “major victory” for teachers and students.
“Together with Portland families and our community, we have been able to achieve big wins on the key issues that matter most to students, educators and our schools,” the group said.
“This contract is a turning point for students, families and educators in Portland. Teachers have delivered improvements on all our key issues.
“These changes will make a huge difference on priorities such as mental health support for students, easing teacher workloads, and safe and welcoming school environments.
“Educators walked the picket lines alongside families, students and allies – and as a result, our schools are getting the additional investment they need.”
Educators marched out of classrooms on November 1, asking for a 23 percent raise over the next three years, while the district responded with a 10.9 percent increase instead. They secured 13.75 percent over three years in a deal that was completed on Sunday
The Portland Association of Teachers (PAT) described the new deal as a “watershed moment” and “major victory” for teachers and students
The Portland Public Schools District said it had “tentatively agreed to a contract” with the union.
Union members will have to ratify the terms, and the school board will also have to approve the entire contract, which is expected to happen at a Tuesday meeting, the school district said Sunday.
Students are expected to return on Monday and school will start two hours later.