Teachers and Staff of Yakima School District Vote to Strike

The Yakima Education Association voted Tuesday in favor of going on strike over a pay dispute with district administration. The teachers want the school board to offer better increases in pay. The union represents teachers and certified staff.

Hundreds of Yakima School District employees may not be in schools when classes start on Monday.
The union says the latest offer of 3.3 percent isn't enough. Union officials say $10.3 million was given to the district by the state for pay increases. Talks between the Yakima Education Association and the Yakima School District continue with another meeting set for today (Wednesday). Union representative Steve McKenna says he's hoping for a fair settlement because teachers don't want to go on strike, but he says they'll do what they have to do to send a message to the Yakima School Board.