Union executives delivered a harsh message at the Tacoma School Board meeting last night.  The KING 5 TV cameras were on location, recording Act 2 of union executives’ plan to target Tacoma schoolchildren if their demands aren’t met.

Act 1 unfolded over the summer.  The union and district have been bargaining over the new teacher’s contract for months.  The district can’t raise teacher salaries because they have to protect programs for students. Teachers in Tacoma already receive up to $76,657 in salary, plus benefits. The union executives want salary increases, and have added new demands for smaller class sizes. 

Act 3 will take place next week, when union executives decide to call the strike.    

The Washington Education Association has written, directed and choreographed this play.  The WEA has targeted Tacoma to set an example, just as school children in Kent and Marysville have been targeted in the past. 

The point of this play is to threaten the school board:  agree to union demands for a pay increase or else.  The “or else” is union executives will call a strike and close the schools.  Tacoma’s schoolchildren are being targeted by union leaders to demonstrate union power, and to intimidate local school boards around the state.