OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire (GREG’-wahr) is going to mediate talks in a teachers strike that has already canceled seven days of school in Tacoma.
Gregoire spokeswoman Karina Shagren says the two sides were unable to reach a deal Wednesday afternoon and are now traveling to Olympia to continue discussions.
The governor has no direct control of schools in Washington, but Shagren says Gregoire is anxious to get kids back to school.
The two sides have been disputing issues including pay and class size, but the major sticking point is how the district handles teacher transfers. The district wants to consider some factors in addition to seniority.
The Tacoma Education Association, the union for 1,900 teachers, is defying a court order for them to return to work.
