Hello Educators,

After 150 days of bargaining failed to produce significant progress towards a settlement, on June 10th, PAT requested the assistance of a state mediator. Mediation is scheduled to begin August 31st and will continue on September 7th & 15th (see timeline below). 

In a continued effort to make progress on our outstanding issues PAT and PPS agreed to meet in advance of mediation for two bargaining sessions. We met today and will meet again on Tuesday, August 22 from 10-2 at the District Office. The parties hope to come to agreement on as many articles as possible before going into mediation over issues we are still divided on. 

Your bargaining team is deeply concerned that we will begin another school year with so many of the critical issues that affect our classrooms still unresolved.  We know that the beginning of a school year is stressful and starting with an expired contract does not help.  We are committed to securing the conditions we and our students deserve: The long overdue workload improvements, wrap-around services for students, and a cost of living adjustment at least equal to inflation. Your active engagement in the bargaining process, up to and including the possibility of a strike, will ultimately determine our success at the table. Thank you for all you have done and all that you will do in the coming weeks as we seek to negotiate a fair contract.

In Solidarity,

Your Bargaining Team
Steve Lancaster, Chair
Francisca Alvarez
Samara Bockelman
Julia Fogg
Thea Keith
Charity Powell
Ryan Olds, OEA Staff
Angela Bonilla, President

Portland Association of Teachers
https://www.pdxteachers.org/