Teachers Union Seeking Strike Authorization In Pittsburgh Public Schools
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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The Pittsburgh Federation Of Teachers union notified its membership on Friday that it will be mailing a ballot seeking authorization for a strike in Pittsburgh Public Schools.
If a vote is authorized, the PFT union will be required to give Pittsburgh Public Schools 48-hours notice before the strike occurs.
Pittsburgh Public Schools say in a release, "it's important to note that even if teachers vote to authorize a strike, it does not necessarily mean a strike will occur; the negotiation process will continue."
A two year interim agreement expired in June, 2017. Negotiations continued through June 30. At that point, while negotiations continued, the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board appointed a neutral third-party fact finder who released a report in October 2017.
Pittsburgh Public Schools says they recognize that a strike represents a significant disruption for students and their families and that they will work diligently with PFT leadership to reach a resolution that "reflects our deep respect for our outstanding teachers, while also prioritizing our mission of providing the highest quality education possible for every student."
PFT says in a release that they are in negotiation with Pittsburgh Public Schools for three separate contracts: professionals, paraprofessionals and technical-clerical employees. All three contracts expired on June 30, 2017. Those employees have been without a contract since that date.
They say ballots will be mailed on Monday morning and counted on Monday, Feb. 12 at 4:30 p.m.
