Catherwood LibraryILR School

Teachers represented by the Portland Association of Teachers voted in favor of strike authorization last week, and the union declared that teachers will participate in strike action starting in November. Teachers voted overwhelmingly in favor of authorizing strike action, after months of unsuccessful negotiations between the union and the Portland Public Schools district. The Portland Association of Teachers is now asking for state mediation, and the state government announced that it will become involved after strike action occurs. The union and the school district have conflicting views on various issues, including compensation, teacher planning time, limits on classroom sizes, and rules regarding student discipline. The union states that their demands will make schools a better place for teachers and students, and will invest in the education and mental wellbeing of students.