Teachers Unions

An email sent by United Academics of UO president Mike Urbancic to union members Friday afternoon said 97% of the faculty members who cast a ballot voted to ratify the deal.

Teachers returned to work Tuesday, with a two-hour delay for students.

The union representing Greater Albany teachers ratified a new contract, which the school district approved late Monday night.

The school year may be the last for many non-tenure track faculty at Portland State.

Compensation, benefits and working conditions remain sticking points, with district leaders saying the two parties’ proposals are more than $229 million apart. The Beaverton Education Association says students are suffering from poor learning conditions.

The next mediation session is scheduled for Feb. 29. If negotiations reach the point of a strike, it likely wouldn’t happen until early April.

Unions representing more than 2,000 Portland Public Schools employees say they were not consulted about the district and teacher’s union plan to add school days during winter break, which starts in less than three weeks.

Teachers will be paid more over the next three years, but not as much as they originally wanted. The contract also includes more overload pay for larger classes.

Portland Public Schools and the Portland Association of Teachers announced a tentative deal Sunday evening. Students are set to return Monday.

Portland Public Schools says they’ve already agreed to pay for an extra workday for teachers next year. Union says PPS wants them to work the day for free.