Portland Public Schools students and union supporters plan march on school board during contract negotiations
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| Dozens of community members last month rallied outside the district office to support teachers during ongoing contract negotiations. Students plan on marching on tonight's school board meeting to do the same. (Nicole Dungca/The Oregonian) |
Portland Public Schools students and other union supporters will be marching before tonight's 6 p.m. school board meeting at the district office.
Organizers say they are concerned the school board will force teachers to work under their contract after nine months of bargaining have failed to produce an agreement.
The Portland Student Union and the Portland Teachers Solidarity Campaign organized the event. Multiple speakers, including students from Wilson, Cleveland and Jefferson high schools and representatives from Jobs with Justice and the local chapter of the AFL-CIO, will speak during the rally.
The Portland Student Union and the Portland Teachers Solidarity Campaign organized the event. Multiple speakers, including students from Wilson, Cleveland and Jefferson high schools and representatives from Jobs with Justice and the local chapter of the AFL-CIO, will speak during the rally.
The rally starts at 5:30 p.m. at the district office, 501 N. Dixon St.
Union allies have ramped up their public support as talks have progressed. Last week, Jefferson High and Wilson High students organized a walkout to support teachers, who have been working without a contract since June.
Tensions are high right now. Despite a marathon mediation session last week, both sides couldn't get a deal.
But there are reasons to be cautiously optimistic: Bargaining teams from both sides are meeting in mediation this morning, and neither the school district nor the teachers union have taken final steps toward contract implementation or a strike.