Striking teachers in Tacoma, Wash., and school district leaders have reached an agreement that has ended a week-long strike and clears the way for schools to reopen.
The Tacoma News Tribune reports teachers have ratified an agreement that provided $23.3 million in salary increases and ended a seven-day strike. Schools reopened on Monday, Sept. 17.
The agreement ends weeks of public acrimony and private negotiation. Teachers had been pushing for higher salaries comparable to those in surrounding districts.
The pact calls for teachers to receive an average 14.4 percent raise. The increase was more than the union had hoped for and reflected a sudden reversal from school district leaders, who had offered much less only 48 hours earlier.
Earlier this week, district leaders offered what they said was a 12.45 percent salary increase, but union leaders contended the offer amounted to 6.95 percent, well below the double-digit increase teachers are seeking.
