In Washington’s 295 public school districts, the educators and staff in each school—the teachers, counselors, librarians, nurses, and bus drivers—belong to a union.
The union represents its members at the bargaining table to negotiate contracts for school employees. The majority of school teachers and staff in Washington State are represented by either the Washington Education Association (83,000 members) or Public School Employees of Washington (26,000 members).
The superintendent and union meet to negotiate the renewal of contracts. These collective bargaining agreements determine the terms of employment between the school district and its employees, such as:
- Salaries and benefits;
- Length of work day, work year, and student year;
- Vacation and sick leave;
- Retirement;
- Class size and work load;
- Evaluation;
- Discipline and grievance; and
- Layoff and reemployment.
Sample Contracts
FAQ
Aren’t teacher salaries set by a statewide salary schedule?
The Legislature determines the statewide salary schedule for teachers based on their years of service and educational attainment. Districts are able to offer teachers additional compensation for extra time, responsibilities and incentives (TRI).
Are teacher strikes legal in Washington State?
Washington courts have ruled that strikes by public employees, which include teachers, are illegal. When a school district and union are unable to reach an agreement, strikes have been used as a last resort. The longest strike in Washington was a 50-day strike in the Marysville School District in 2003.
