Full Breakdown
Seattle Teachers Set to Vote on Potential Strike Over Pay and Class-Size Disputes
8/26/2026, 10:12:05 PM
Impending Vote and Possible School-Year Delay
The Seattle Education Association (SEA) will hold a membership vote this week at the Seattle Convention Center to decide whether to authorize a strike. If members approve a strike, it could postpone the start of the 2026-27 school year, which is slated to begin in early August. A strike is not guaranteed; the union and Seattle Public Schools (SPS) will continue “around the clock” bargaining until the current contract expires at the end of August.
Union Demands and Negotiation Priorities
SEA’s bargaining team is seeking wage increases of 1%-3% for certificated staff and 3%-5% for classified staff, on top of state-mandated cost-of-living adjustments. The union also requests regulated class sizes, additional special-education staffing, and protections against “pressurization” that forces teachers to handle non-instructional tasks.
Official Statements & Responses
Union spokesperson Julie Popper said the bargaining team will keep negotiations “around the clock” through the contract’s deadline at the end of August. The district, represented by SPS officials, emphasized a focus on meeting students’ needs while avoiding overspending amid a reported budget shortfall of roughly $87 million to $100 million. Superintendent Ben Shuldiner, who assumed the role in February, is participating in his first contract talks with the union.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We’re feeling pretty fired up. We’re definitely ready for a fight to get to an agreement that helps our students succeed,” — Katy McDermott, school nurse and bargaining-team member “We’re feeling pretty fired up. We’re definitely ready for a fight to get to an agreement that helps our students succeed,” — Katy McDermott
- “We don't want to go on strike. But if it means improving the working conditions and the learning conditions of our students, then we will,” — Heather Barker, SPS teacher and bargaining-team member “We don't want to go on strike. But if it means improving the working conditions and the learning conditions of our students, then we will,” — Heather Barker
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The Seattle Times reports an average Seattle teacher salary of $96,170, while KOMONEWS cites an average of $117,000. Both outlets agree that the contract expires at the end of August and that the most recent strike occurred in 2022, delaying the school year by one week. No further quantitative data on special-education staffing levels or exact class-size caps have been disclosed.
