By Patrick Robinson

UPDATE Sept. 5 6:20pm

The strike that was brewing with IUOE 302 against Seattle Public Schools has been averted. In a note to members late on Tuesday the union said: "We have reached a tentative Agreement with the District. Go to work tomorrow, all job actions planned for tomorrow have been cancelled."

A tentative agreement will still need to be approved by membershp once they see the terms that were set out in the tentative agreement.

UPDATE Sept. 5 9:25am

According to the Seattle's Child website contract negotiations are still continuing between IUOE 302 and Seattle Public Schools after their contract expired on August 31. While a strike and work stoppage is still possible the site reports "for now members will engage in “job actions” air their contract concerns. Job actions include “informational picketing after school on Wednesday, and, if no contract on Thursday, we will do the same thing on Friday,” a union representative said on September 4."  Both the member of the teacher's union SEA and the truck drivers who deliver food have said they support IUOE 302. 

Original Post Sept. 3

After an apparent breakdown in negotiations between Seattle Public Schools and IUOE Local 302 a strike is set to start on the first day of school Sept. 6, barring any last minute changes. Sources close to the situation indicate that a final attempt at negotiation will take place on Tuesday. If it's unsuccessful, the strike will take place.

The union represents custodians, culinary staff, groundskeepers, security staff and alarms teams. Truck drivers who deliver the food to the schools will honor the picket lines meaning meal service will be either disrupted or non-existent. SPS serves approximately 27,000 meals daily including breakfasts and lunches.  Those student meals are currently paid for by a federal grant.

The union sent out the following memo to members alerting them to the need to be prepared to join picket lines outside the school on Sept. 6.

"UNION UPDATE

Seattle Public Schools IUOE Local 302 Members

JOB ACTION COMING FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!

CONTRACT UPDATE BELOW

Be prepared to come out and show your support in the fight for a fair contract. Join the job actions with your co-workers on the first day of school, Wednesday September 6.

Check your email Tuesday September 5 for Job Action locations and times announcement.

Contract Update:

The Union Bargaining Committee met with the District four days last week. Instead of offering you a fair contract, we've heard rumors that the District has been busy lining up third-party contractors to do your work. If true, it's outrageous. We won't stand for it. The District needs to respect us - not replace us!

In Solidarity

Your Bargaining Committee"

SPS has sent out memos to central staff asking that they keep their schedules clear in anticipation of the work stoppage.