Teachers from 8 school districts to hold one-day protest strikes starting next week



SEATTLE (AP) — The Washington Education Association says members of the union from eight school districts plan to hold one-day strikes to protest legislative inaction on education funding reform.

The WEA says Arlington, Lakewood and Stanwood-Camano teachers will strike April 22. Bellingham and Ferndale teachers plan to strike April 24.

Teachers in Mount Vernon, Blaine and Sedro-Woolley have approved strikes, but haven't selected days yet.

They are protesting the Senate's decision to send the class-size initiative back to the voters. They are objecting to a plan to require student test scores be used for teacher evaluations. And they say the Senate is going to short-change teacher pay and benefits, while giving themselves a raise.

Educators are also planning to rally on the steps of the state Capitol on April 25, one day before the regular legislative session ends.