More talks between Portland teachers and the school district have been set for Thursday, after an electric board meeting last night. Students jammed the meeting at district headquarters in support of teachers, as both sides worry about the prospect of a historic strike.
Several local unions, along with the Portland Student Union, showed up in force. Nicole Dungca reported for The Oregonian that students interrupted the meeting with loud chanting, and recited a list of demands, including smaller class sizes, more funding for the arts and no school closures.
Except for board member Steve Buel, board members left after they had voted on their last agenda item, the student demonstration notwithstanding. Only Steve Buel remained to hear the students out. (Board member Tom Koehler was absent.)
- New Festival Showcases Multicultural Readings & Films - August 18, 2021
- Parisalexa Plays Portland! - August 9, 2021
- Pardon our Dust! - June 29, 2021
I hesitated to reply on your website about this story. Not living in the Portland area, I did not want to be an outsider butting in. I certainly hope that there is no “historic strike”. It takes a lot of time to heal the wounds in such situation. The Fernridge schools had a strike about 15 years ago and it was very unsettling. Fernridge District is Veneta-Elmira area west of Eugene. Their strike was over just-cause provisions. The school board was encouraged by the Oregon School Board Association to force the issue, hoping to set a precedent for future negotiations throughout the state. A strike ensued. It was divisive in our rural community. And pit neighbor against neighbor. I was the president of my local union (APWU) at the time and I gave as much moral and material support as I could. My wife, son (a freshman at the time) and I spent many hours on their picket lines. It was hard watching the district try to dehumanize and humiliate the teachers. Ultimately, the district gave in after an emotional and exhausting 2-week strike. I spent a lot of time counseling the teachers as to what to expect from the district’s union-busting lawyers (based on my experience and many readings)… They stood strong, but it took its toll on everybody. It took several years to heal the wounds. I hope that a resolution in the current impasse in Portland can be reached. Thank you for your coverage of this important issue.
Gary Jarvis
Sweet Home Listener (and Reader)