Kennewick School District, teacher’s union, continue 4th day of bargaining

Negotiation teams from the Kennewick School District and Kennewick Education Association met with a mediator Saturday for a fourth consecutive day of bargaining in an effort to resolve outstanding contract issues so the new school year can begin on time.

KEA members voted on Monday to strike if there is no tentative agreement reached before 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 27th, the first day of scheduled classes for the 2019-2020 school year.

The biggest sticking point, according to both sides, appears to be pay raises.

The district says they're offering an across-the-board 6.3% pay raise for teachers, along with other pay and bonuses based on tenure and other factors.

The KEA is asking for 10.5%.

Literature from the KEA criticizes the school district for using social media and emails to "sway the minds of educators and the public."

KSD has cancelled a Welcome Back event that was scheduled for Monday morning at the Three Rivers Convention Center, promoting the KEA to schedule its own rally.

Teachers are expected to line up for a picket Monday, August 26th at 6:45 a.m. outside of the district administration building on W. 4th.

Union officials are encouraging teachers who have classroom pets to remove them before 7:00 a.m. Tuesday, in case the strike goes into effect.