PORTLAND, Ore. — A potential teachers strike in Oregon's largest school district is just days away, with no clear sign of progress between the teachers union and Portland Public Schools. As time runs out, some Portland parents have said that they increasingly feel like they and their children are caught in the middle.
“Our kids need more learning time, not less,” said Portland parent Christine Pitts.
Pitts is frustrated with the idea of a strike regardless, but said an email she received on Thursday crossed a line. It was a letter addressed to Grout Elementary School parents, signed by Grout teachers and sent by the school's PTA.
It reads, in part:
"PPS is organizing Chromebooks to be distributed to students for use during a strike. One easy way to show support for our teachers, students, and the (Portland Association of Teachers) community is to send a letter refusing to accept these resources during the strike."
“I just couldn't believe we were being asked to refuse one way of being able to connect with their peers or online learning opportunities during a strike,” said Pitts. "It feels that we're in a corner and that our voices are being used as if we're pawns in a game.”
KGW asked officials with the union about the letter.
“I understand how that could come off as concerning,” said PAT Vice President Jacque Dixon. “I think it's important for parents to know that that message originated from parents.”
Pitts said clearly not all parents share the same views, which added to her frustration upon receiving the letter. She said she wants both the teachers union and the school district to prioritize keeping students in school as negotiations continue. It’s a stance she believes many don’t want her to take.
“If we say anything about not wanting to bring our students home, about wanting to keep our students in school, then it might be perceived that we are crossing some kind of a picket line and that is not the case,” Pitts said.
The district has told parents that in case of a strike there will not be in-person or online instruction. The district is making online resources available for students and families who want to pursue independent studies, but there won't be any work requirements.
On Thursday night, PAT members met at their union headquarters to make picket signs. They plan to use them during a march on Saturday.
“It's just a showing of solidarity,” said Dixon. “There is always the possibility that we work things out, we hope to come to some type of resolution at the table and we also have the possibility of a strike Nov. 1 if we cannot come to that agreement.”
Portland Public Schools and the teachers union have been negotiating for months. Among the biggest demands from teachers are better wages, more prep time and smaller class sizes.
“It's not right to pack 'em into a classroom, 33 kiddos,” said elementary school teacher Beyoung Yu. “Let's humanize them.”
As the strike date looms, other teachers said they’re grateful for the support they're getting.
“There are so many parents that are excited to bring their kids to the strike line,” said elementary school teacher Tiffany Koyama Lane. “They have been saying to me, ‘We're excited for our kids to learn in this different way.’”
Dixon said union negotiators and district officials have two more mediations sessions planned for Oct. 30 and 31 before the potential strike day of Nov. 1.