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Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Portland Public Schools strike preparation: District asks teachers whether they plan to work as union urges them to remove personal belongings from classrooms | OregonLive.com

Portland Public Schools strike preparation: District asks teachers whether they plan to work as union urges them to remove personal belongings from classrooms | OregonLive.com:



Portland Public Schools strike preparation: District asks teachers whether they plan to work as union urges them to remove personal belongings from classrooms

Portland Public Schools teachers union strike vote
PORTLAND, OREGON -- February 5, 2014 -- Supporters of the teachers stood outside Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall as teachers waited for the vote that would authorize the district's first-ever strike. Details on the logistics of a strike are trickling out to union members as the set walkout date nears. (Emily Jan/The Oregonian)

As the deadline of a Feb. 20 strike creeps closer for Portland Public Schools, district officials are asking teachers whether they plan to strike as the union urges members to remove their belongings from their classrooms.

Though the two sides met with a state mediator this afternoon, the threat of Portland Public Schools' first walkout in history is becoming increasingly real. Details on the logistics are trickling out as the district and union prepare for a historic strike that could affect nearly 48,000 students next week.

District officials on Tuesday sent out a message to full-time and part-time teachers saying they have the right to strike or continue working.

All union members -- even those who decide to cross the picket line -- are required to check out with administrators on Feb. 19, the day before the strike is set.

They will be asked to turn in all district property, include school-related keys, ID badges, substitute folders and emergency lesson plans, required curriculum, computers and laptops, other district-owned technology and any other items requested by the building administrator.

If teachers decide to continue working, they must fill out a form that allows them to stay



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