CITY OF SEATTLE
RESOLUTION _________________
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A RESOLUTION designating the week of September 14, 2015 through September 18, 2015 "Seattle Educators Week" in recognition and support of the Seattle Education Association whose members are on strike for a fair contract.
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WHEREAS, The teachers and other educators in Seattle, who collectively make up the Seattle Education Association, are the most experienced in determining the needs of Seattle's education system, and deserve to be recognized for their important work with an excellent contract; and
WHEREAS, The Preamble to Article IX of the Washington Constitution states, "It is the paramount duty of the state to make ample provision for the education of all children residing within its borders, without distinction or preference on account of race, color, caste, or sex"; and
Whereas, The Washington State Legislature has failed to uphold this "paramount duty" in the Washington State Constitution, and the Washington State Supreme Court has held the Legislature in contempt for its failure to comply with the school funding order announced in the Court's McCleary decision; and
WHEREAS, Seattle wants our dedicated teachers at each school to be paid fairly and to be integral parts of the academic and social decision making processes;
WHEREAS, Although Seattle and state voters overwhelmingly supported Initiative 1351 in 2014, advocating full funding of education, for the last six years, the state Legislature has suspended voter-approved cost-of-living adjustments for school employees, leaving average teacher pay in Washington State at 42nd in the nation; and
WHEREAS, The administration of Seattle Public Schools has proposed to make teachers work additional hours each week without pay, in a profession dominated by women workers; and
WHEREAS, The Seattle Education Association is bargaining for far more than pay and hours, demanding contractual language to address racial bias, caseload caps fo...
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