Portland Public Schools to present critical new offer today, with threat of Thursday teachers strike looming: PPS News
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| February 14, 2014 - In preparation for a strike scheduled on Feb. 20, teachers at Grant High School held a symbolic walk-out at 3:20 Friday afternoon, just after students left school for the day. Beth Nakamura/The Oregonian |
Portland Public Schools negotiators are set to present their newest contract offer to the teachers union today, in a critical step that could move both sides closer to a deal that could avert the first strike in Portland Public Schools history.
People on both sides said the tone of talks shifted significantly on Thursday, when teachers union negotiators on Thursday revealed concessions on major issues that have long held up a deal.
Negotiators will be under more pressure than ever on Sunday, with the looming threat of a walkout scheduled to start just four days later.
If district and union leaders cannot hammer out a deal by Thursday morning, nearly 2,900 teachers are set to take to the picket lines in Oregon's largest district. About 48,000 students and their families would be affected by the strike.
At the Oregonian, we've been following the situation closely for months. Here are some more of the latest updates:
* WHAT'S HOLDING UP THE DEAL?Though PPS leaders are cautiously optimistic about a deal, several major issues that have stymied progress for months are still on the table.
We looked into the issues holding up the deal, and the dynamics of what may need to happen with a new contract.
* CLASS SIZES: Class size has become a rallying cry for union leaders as they seek a new contract, but an analysis shows Portland teachers have some of the lowest class sizes among medium- and large-sized districts of the metro area.
* TEACHERS MOVE OUT: In a show of solidarity, teachers at several schools moved their personal belongings out of their classrooms at the same time on Friday.
At Northeast Portland's Grant High, teachers walked out together after cleaning