Teachers in Portland, Oregon, made a bold statement on Tuesday morning as they temporarily shut down a major bridge during their ongoing strike for better pay and teaching conditions. The strike, which began three weeks ago, has resulted in the closure of schools serving approximately 45,000 students in Oregon’s largest district. The teachers, members of the Portland Association of Teachers union, and their supporters gathered on the Burnside Bridge, donning blue clothes and holding banners advocating for improved pay and teaching conditions.
The bridge closure lasted for about 15 minutes, causing a temporary disruption to traffic. However, by 9 a.m., the bridge was clear, and cars resumed driving across it. Images shared by the union on their Facebook page showcased the teachers sitting down on the bridge, emphasizing their demands.
The strike has been marked by marathon bargaining sessions between the teachers union and the district. Negotiations have centered around issues such as pay, class sizes, and planning time for teachers. Initially, the union proposed caps on class sizes, but due to concerns about the financial implications, they are now requesting increased pay for teachers who exceed certain class size thresholds.
One significant point of contention in recent days has been the involvement of parents in committees overseeing class sizes. The union has suggested including parents in these committees to determine if students can be added to a class that has already reached its size limit. However, the district has raised concerns about student privacy and believes that decisions regarding class sizes should be made by teachers, principals, and school administrators.
On Monday morning, the union announced that school board members had rejected a tentative agreement. While board members disputed this claim, they acknowledged that a deal was “very, very close” to being reached. Notably, progress has been made in salary negotiations, with the district proposing cost-of-living adjustments that would result in a roughly 13% salary increase for teachers over three years. This offer brings the district closer to the union’s initial request for a 20% pay increase over the same period.
The ongoing strike has caused significant disruption to students’ education, with 11 missed school days thus far. Both sides continue to engage in negotiations, aiming to find a resolution that addresses the concerns of teachers and provides better educational conditions for students.
