Everett, Wash.
Published: Sunday, July 12, 2009

Hard times for teacher negotiations throughout Snohomish County

The uncertain economy could lead to shorter contract terms as unions and districts start hammering out details.

By Kaitlin Manry and Eric Stevick
Herald Writers

 The tough economy could lead to painful contract negotiations between teachers and school officials throughout Snohomish County this summer.

Several local districts will try to iron out deals with their teachers before classes begin in September.

The list includes Everett, Granite Falls, Lake Stevens, Monroe, Stanwood and Sultan.

"I think that everyone, whether it is the school district board or the local (union) and everybody in between, understands that these are very difficult times," said Dave Phelps, a spokesman for the 80,000-member Washington Education Association.

Lean times could mean shorter labor contracts in school districts where teacher contracts expire Aug. 31.

Darrington teachers were scheduled to negotiate their contracts this summer but opted to extend their old contracts by a year before attempting negotiations.

Most Snohomish County school districts saw their budgets tighten this year due to state cutbacks. School boards slashed programs and trimmed staff to make ends meet.

"Of course the economy has affected negotiations and it's restricted what we're able to offer to all employees," said Rosemary O'Neil, a spokeswoman for the Monroe School District.

It's frustrating not to be able to offer teachers salaries that show how much they're valued, she said.

"It's unfortunate in our society, we equate our earnings sometimes to the value of the job we do," O'Neil said. "We have people doing great things. We're just restricted in our ability to recognize that monetarily in this challenging environment."

Phelps said the union has two main hopes in contract talks: protecting classrooms from cutbacks and assuring that there is a mutual willingness to come up with creative solutions.

While he said he can't speak to situations in individual school districts, Phelps said it is likely many contracts will be shorter than they were in the past.

"I believe that is probably what we are going to see, 12-month or two-year contracts as folks figure out what is the depth and breadth of this financial situation and how long it's going to last," he said.

With more than 1,150 members, Everett is the largest teachers union in the county with an expiring contract.

"The bottom line is you still have to advocate for the best working conditions that you can for the employees of the district," said Kim Mead, president of the Everett Education Association.

The uncertainty last spring of what would happen with funding in the Legislature meant a later start than usual in contract talks, Mead said.

Karen Madsen, an Everett School Board member, said there is little she can say at this point.

"Negotiations are ongoing and we are all hopeful," she said. "It's a different type of year. It's a difficult time to be on the other side of a bargaining table."

While most contracts are resolved without labor stoppages, Snohomish County has had four teacher strikes over the past 11 years, but none since 2003, when Marysville had a state-record 49-day strike.

Kaitlin Manry: 425-339-3292, kmanry@heraldnet.com.
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA