Classes resume in Willapa Valley

Both Willapa Valley Education Association and the school district ratified a three-year contract Monday night, ending the 14-day strike. The strike cancelled classes for 10 days.

The new contract will increase pay by 13.5 percent over three years, on top of the 23-percent McCleary increase last year, plus multiple language improvements and changes to other contract provisions.

For the first time in decades, Willapa Valley School District tried to reopen schools last week with administrative scabs as teachers. The move didn't work. Members from more than 15 WEA locals across southwest Washington, longshore workers from the ILWU, Machinists, United Food and Commercial Workers, Public School Employees and the Washington State Labor Council joined the picket line to support the 25 Willapa Valley teachers.