State Rep. Hans Dunshee has introduced House Bill 2343 to prohibit teacher strikes and instead require binding arbitration, as is currently required of police and firefighters.

However, firefighters often work 8-9 days per month, sleeping one-third of this time (on 24-hour shifts). They often earn more than $70,000 (total compensation) with a high school education. Their employer pays all training costs. They are paid for all overtime, including training. They are not expected to take work home. They do not pay for work-related equipment and supplies.

Teachers are required to work approximately 16 days per month (based on a 12-month calendar). Break time is often interrupted by student or parent demands (emergencies, homework help, phone calls). Starting salary is approximately $30,000. They are required to have a bachelor’s and complete a master’s degree to maintain their certification. Continuing education is only partially reimbursed (e.g. maximum $400 per year in Snohomish). They frequently come in early or stay late for classroom organization, lesson preparation and parent conferences. They often take work home (correcting papers). They do not get paid for any required overtime. They usually spend $589 of their own money each year for work-related equipment and supplies.

If teachers had similar salary, benefits, work and educational requirements as firefighters, they would not need to strike. Most teachers would be thrilled to work under comparable conditions as firefighters. Dunshee has already demonstrated his lack of support for teacher cost of living increases by voting to overturn Initiative 732. Now he wants to limit teachers’ ability to bargain effectively. I think Dunshee would be better off working to prevent teacher strikes by improving their salaries and working conditions, rather than prohibiting their ability to strike.

Please contact your local legislators regarding this issue. You can obtain their contact information at www.leg.wa.gov or 1-800-562-6000.

Snohomish