Local News Kent teachers union votes to continue strike Seattle Times Newspaper:
"Teachers in Washington state's fourth-largest district voted Monday night to continue their strike, despite a court injunction ordering them back to work Tuesday to prepare for students.
Kent Education Association spokesman Dale Folkerts said 74 percent of union members voted not to return to work until they have a ratified contract.
The teachers 'know there could be consequences' to going against the judge's order, he said. But after a long and heartfelt discussion, 'they decided it was a cause that was important enough to stand up for.'
The teachers' top issues are smaller class sizes and more time with students. Folkerts said class-size limits in Kent are substantially larger than surrounding districts and that overcrowded classrooms create bad learning environments and in some cases, safety risks."
"Teachers in Washington state's fourth-largest district voted Monday night to continue their strike, despite a court injunction ordering them back to work Tuesday to prepare for students.
Kent Education Association spokesman Dale Folkerts said 74 percent of union members voted not to return to work until they have a ratified contract.
The teachers 'know there could be consequences' to going against the judge's order, he said. But after a long and heartfelt discussion, 'they decided it was a cause that was important enough to stand up for.'
The teachers' top issues are smaller class sizes and more time with students. Folkerts said class-size limits in Kent are substantially larger than surrounding districts and that overcrowded classrooms create bad learning environments and in some cases, safety risks."
