Bellingham Tech College cancels classes amid teachers' strike, court loss

BELLINGHAM -- Bellingham Technical College announced Tuesday that classes have been canceled until further notice because of a teachers’ strike.

"It is sad to report that Bellingham Technical College and the Bellingham Education Association (BEA), BTC’s faculty union, have not come to an agreement," BTC President Patricia McKeown said in a news release. "Classes are delayed until further notice.

“We met in court this morning and the college asked for an injunction to bring the faculty back to teach ... Unfortunately the judge ruled to allow the strike to continue and that both parties should continue to negotiate.  If an agreement is not reached by Monday, September 30, both sides will be back in court,” she said.

The teachers are striking over wages and benefits.