The Seattle Training Affiliation (SEA) introduced Tuesday morning that its proposed contract, formally three separate tentative agreements for categorised, paraprofessional and certificated educators, had been ratified. The union SEA reported that 4,143 of its members voted and that the agreements handed by 82 p.c (categorised), 66 p.c (parapros) and 71 p.c (licensed academics).
Whereas the SEA presents the outcomes as an expression of the “unity” of educators underneath union management, at most solely about half voted for the contract, with slightly below a 3rd abstaining from the entire course of out of digust.
SEA officers shut down the highly effective week-long strike by 6,000 educators on September 14 and despatched academics again to the lecture rooms days earlier than the ratification vote. By breaking the momentum of their wrestle, the SEA executives knew it will be tougher for academics to renew the strike, which is what a rejection of the TA would have meant.
Seattle academics on the picket line earlier than officers of the Seattle Training Affiliation ordered it shut down. [Photo: WSWS]
The SEA’s motion was in open defiance of a decision proposed and handed by the rank-and-file to remain on strike till a TA was ratified. The truth is, the SEA ended the strike via antidemocratic maneuvers, together with a pressured vote to “droop” the strike that had no oversight from the membership.
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On the identical time, the union itself admitted that the TA had not been “finalized” and solely offered the total textual content to academics three days later. Academics then had solely a single weekend to evaluate the contract earlier than being informed to vote on it.
The deal did nothing to deal with educators’ central calls for—extra particular schooling workers to help the myriad and multilingual wants of the district’s estimated 49,000 college students. Educators additionally needed sharp will increase in wages amid skyrocketing prices of residing in Seattle, notably for paraprofessionals and categorised workers who typically make lower than $20 an hour.
There was additionally no point out in any of the contracts or throughout any union conferences of the continuing menace of the COVID-19 pandemic. Lots of die from the lethal but preventable illness and 1000’s fall sufferer to Lengthy COVID every single day and the pathogen stays a significant concern of educators the world over as faculties are a distinguished vector of viral transmission. But the matter has been dropped wholesale as unions implement the Biden administration’s coverage of compelling employees to “dwell with the virus.”
The perspective of the mega-corporations which might be based mostly in Seattle and Washington state—together with Boeing, Microsoft, Starbucks, Amazon—was summed up in an article revealed final week within the Seattle Occasions, which requested of the tentative settlement, “Can the district afford it?” The article notes that the now ratified settlement will price $228 million and claims that it’s going to add $92 million to the district’s finances shortfall over the subsequent three years. It then laments that “greater than 80 [percent] of the district’s finances goes towards salaries,” a lower than refined assertion that even the meager wages paid to academics are an excessive amount of.
The chance that the aforementioned large companies and their multimillionaire and multibillionaire executives ought to be taxed is rarely thought-about. Neither is any point out made from the tens of billions of {dollars} being made out there to Ukraine as a part of the US/NATO proxy battle towards Russia. Little doubt cash might be shifted round to keep up the contract by chopping social packages elsewhere and might be used provocatively in makes an attempt to divide and isolate educators from the broader working class.
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However Seattle academics drew huge help throughout their strike and over the course of their wrestle. Dad and mom and college students stood on picket traces and expressed their help in individual and on social media for the combat being waged, recognizing that the calls for raised by academics replicate the calls for of the working class as an entire.
Furthermore, the strike occurred alongside an escalating surge of the category wrestle, together with a number of concurrent strikes and contract fights of educators throughout Washington state, New York Metropolis, in addition to Canada and Australia. West coast dockworkers have been with out a contract for months and their fellows in British Columbia, Quebec and the UK have gone on strike. And even now a strike of 100,000 railroad employees looms, regardless of the efforts of the unions, the rail firms and the Biden administration to forestall railroad employees from making their may felt.
And whereas their TA has been ratified, the combat by Seattle academics is way from over. The complete penalties of the deal that was compelled on them have but to be felt, and educators will reply. They are going to rejoin the unfolding enviornment of the category wrestle all through the US and internationally.
Probably the most urgent want is a acutely aware assimilation of the teachings of their strike.
The suppression of the strike is above all the results of the systematic treachery of the commerce unions, domestically by the SEA and coordinated by the Nationwide Training Affiliation (NEA). From the start, the orientation of the unions was to keep away from an actual combat in any respect prices and to finish a strike, if it took place, as quickly as potential. The modification demanding a vote on the TA earlier than ending the strike was solely allowed as a result of the union had each intention of working roughshod over the rights of its members so as to include the wrestle.
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In distinction, educators have been decided to regain misplaced floor after successive sellout contracts, notably for the reason that strike in 2015, which was additionally suppressed by the union and resulted in the same sellout contract. There was specific push again towards the “inclusion” mannequin by Seattle Public Colleges for youngsters in particular schooling, which locations such college students among the many broader inhabitants. Whereas such integration can have constructive advantages, each scholar finally suffers when faculties aren’t sufficiently staffed to take care of college students’ particular person wants, the actual scenario in Seattle faculties. In impact, classroom sizes are elevated, workers are reduce and the standard of schooling for each scholar is degraded.
That the SEA produced a contract that at greatest maintained the prevailing, and dreadful, state of affairs speaks to the target perform of the corporatist unions. They don’t serve the working class however are in actuality brokers of the firms and the capitalist state, notably the Democratic Occasion. The NEA and its counterpart, the American Federation of Academics (AFT), not too long ago took half in a “city corridor” assembly hosted by the Biden administration to reassure the administration and Wall Road that faculties will open this autumn and stay open even because the coronavirus pandemic continues to rage, irrespective of what number of academics and youngsters die.
Unions are against academics uniting with different academics—as evinced by the isolation of Seattle academics from their placing brothers and sisters in Kent, Eatonville, Ridgefield and elsewhere—let alongside preventing alongside employees in different industries within the US and internationally.
But the strike by Seattle academics is one manifestation of the trajectory of the worldwide class wrestle. Employees are more and more coming into direct battle with the pro-capitalist and nationalist commerce unions, the mainstream media, main firms, the Republicans and Democrats, and finally capitalism itself. All these forces are aligned in defending the prevailing social order. The NEA, AFT and different organizations are unions in identify solely. In actuality they divide the working classs and performance as a labor police power for the firms and their political servants.
The one means ahead for employees has been demonstrated by the World Socialist Net Web site via its name for the formation of rank-and-file committees to unite academics and your entire working class. In Seattle, the formation of those committees is crucial to arrange to combat again towards the continuing assaults on wages and dealing circumstances. They should be unified with manufacturing unit and office committees internationally underneath the banner of the Worldwide Employees Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees to wage a mixed wrestle towards the political equipment arrayed towards employees and towards the capitalist system itself.
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The excessive level of this marketing campaign at this time is the wrestle being waged by Mack Vans autoworker Will Lehman, who’s working for president of the UAW. Lehman is working to not reform the paperwork, however to overthrow it and to determine full rank-and-file management over contracts and security. He’s working as a socialist, explaining to autoworkers and each part of the working class that socialism means a society based mostly on equality, the place manufacturing is managed democratically and never on behalf of a tiny ruling elite.
Educators in Seattle should observe Lehman’s instance. A brand new management should be solid by the rank-and-file, one which can set up the impartial initiative and group of employees, increase their political and social consciousness and make clear the basic class points confronted by each employee. Academics should be a part of the rising mass motion of the working class towards capitalism and for socialism, on this nation and in all others.
The Baltimore Orioles (28-14) welcome the Seattle Mariners (24-21) to Oriole Park at Camden Yards for the 2nd game of their 3-game series. First pitch is set for 4:05 p.m. ET (FS1). Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Mariners vs. Orioles odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Orioles lead 1-0
The Mariners lost to the Orioles to open the series 9-2 Friday, failing to cover as run-line underdogs. They closed +117 on the moneyline. Seattle has won 3 of its last 5 games yet is just 6-8 over its last 14. The Mariners have struggled offensively, scoring just 2 runs in 2 of their last 3 games.
The Orioles have won 2 straight and 5 of their last 7. However, they are just 1-4 against the spread (ATS) in their last 5 games (23-19 ATS on the season). Baltimore is the 7th-best home team in MLB with a 16-9 record.
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Mariners at Orioles projected starters
RHP Luis Castillo vs. TBD
Castillo (4-5, 3.31 ERA) makes his 10th start. He has a 1.12 WHIP, 1.8 BB/9 and 10.6 K/9 through 54 1/3 IP.
Last start: Win, 6 IP, 2 ER, 7 H, 0 BB, 8 K in an 8-4 home win over the Oakland A’s Friday
Career vs. Orioles: 1-0, 1.50 ERA (6 IP, 1 ER), 2 H, 2 BB, 8 K in 1 start
2024 road splits: 2-2, 2.92 ERA (24 2/3 IP, 8 ER), 2 HR, .189 opponent batting average (OBA) in 4 starts
While the Orioles have yet to announce a starter, 30-year-old Cole Irvin seems on deck and could’ve started Friday. It was noted he didn’t start due to injury, so he’s a likely option for Baltimore.
Irvin 2024 home stats: 2-1, 3.22 ERA (22 1/3 IP, 8 ER), 1.12 WHIP in 4 starts
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Mariners at Orioles odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:45 a.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Mariners -106 (bet $106 to win $100) | Orioles -110 (bet $110 to win $100)
Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Mariners -1.5 (+158) | Orioles +1.5 (-192)
Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Mariners at Orioles picks and predictions
Prediction
Marines 5, Orioles 3
Moneyline
BET MARINERS (-106).
Castillo struggled to start the season, but he has been on fire over the last month. He has pitched 32 2/3 innings and has 6 ER. During that span, in his starts, the Mariners have road wins over the Rockies and Rangers and home wins over the Braves and A’s. Seattle is 4-1 over his last 5 starts.
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It has also scored at least 4 runs in 3 of its last 5, so it has sustained some success offensively. The Orioles blasted the Mariners in the first game and are 16-11 after a win. Seattle is 13-7 after a loss. Considering those trends and Seattle’s pitching edge, take MARINERS (-106).
Run line/Against the spread
PASS.
There’s no value here. The Mariners are too risky as run-line favorites, while the Orioles are far too expensive as run-line underdogs. Ultimately, the moneyline has the only team-specific value here.
Over/Under
LEAN OVER 7.5 (-110).
Both teams have had success on the Over as of late. The Mariners are 8-2 O/U in their last 10 games and have scored at least 6 runs in 4 of those.
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The Orioles have tallied at least 7 in 3 of their last 9 and are 5-4 O/U in that span. Baltimore is 21-17-3 O/U on the season. The recent trends point to the Over, so back OVER 7.5 (-110).
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Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) controls the ball against Seattle Storm guard Jewell Loyd (24) during a WNBA basketball game, Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in Seattle.(Alika Jenner / Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS – Napheesa Collier had 29 points, nine rebounds, five assists and six steals, Kayla McBride added 19 points and the Minnesota Lynx beat the Seattle Storm 102-93 in double overtime on Friday night.
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Minnesota led 78-67 with 3:22 left in regulation before Seattle scored the next 11 points.
McBride missed two free throws with 24.1 seconds left in regulation and she fouled Jewell Loyd on a 3-point attempt at the other end. Loyd made all three free throws to tie it at 78-all. Courtney Williams missed a baseline jumper for Minnesota and Loyd was off on a jumper at the other end to send it to overtime.
Collier made the first of two free throws to tie it at 88-all with 2.7 seconds left in the first overtime. But she missed the second free throw and Seattle was unable to get a shot off before the buzzer.
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Collier and McBride each made a 3-pointer on back-to-back possessions to start the second overtime to put Minnesota ahead 94-88. Alanna Smith made Minnesota’s 13th 3-pointer with 1:25 left to seal it.
The teams combined for 52 turnovers, 38 steals, and 54 free-throw attempts.
Smith finished with 16 points and six blocks and Williams added 10 points for Minnesota (2-0), which was coming off an 83-70 win at Seattle on Tuesday.
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Nneka Ogwumike had 24 points, 11 rebounds and five steals for Seattle (0-2). Skylar Diggins-Smith added 22 points and Loyd finished with 20 before fouling out with 59.2 seconds left in the first overtime.
Ogwumike scored the opening points of the first overtime to give Seattle its first lead since it was 4-2.
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Loyd struggled again from the field, combining to go 7 for 40 in two games.
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The Seattle Mariners are in first place in the American League West, but it still feels like the team hasn’t reached its full potential.
Rost on Seattle Mariners: What we’ve learned a quarter through the season
Seattle’s pitching staff has been among the best in baseball. That was expected by many, especially those in the Pacific Northwest. The offense has had its highs, but it’s also had plenty of low moments throughout the year.
The Mariners start a 10-game road trip Friday where they’ll see two of the best teams in the American League. It starts with three games against the Baltimore Orioles followed by four at the New York Yankees. That means Seattle will need to put together complete performances to add to its run of winning eight of its nine past series.
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For the Mariners to reach their full potential, some players need to step up. Mike Salk broke down who those Mariners are Friday during Ranked on Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk.
Ty France
Ty France quickly became a fan favorite after arriving from the San Diego Padres via trade during the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign. France hit immediately with the Mariners, batting .302 in his brief 23-game stint in 2020 and posting a .291 average and .813 OPS while being named in All-Star in 2021. But the 29 year old has largely struggled since injuries slowed him down in 2022. After a disappointing 2023, France trained with Driveline Baseball to retool his swing in hopes of finding the same sort of improvement as teammate J.P. Crawford. It hasn’t been a scorching start to 2024 for France, but he’s starting to show signs of his offseason work paying dividends. He homered twice in this week’s three-game set against a strong Kansas City Royals pitching staff.
“You’re starting to see it at times, some breakout potential, but they banked on him at first base,” Salk said. “They really need him to be that or else that’s a spot that you just gotta find a replacement.”
Mitch Garver
The Mariners signed Mitch Garver to a two-year, $24 million contract this offseason, which made him the most expensive free agent bat president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto has ever signed. That deal came after Garver was one of the heroes of the Texas Rangers’ championship run. The designated hitter got off to perhaps the slowest start of many slow starters, and his batting average dipped to as low as .138 on May 3. Garver seems to be finding his swing in May, though. He’s raised his batting average to .174 and his OPS nearly 100 points to .634 this month.
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“He’s been well below what the expectation was, well below what he was last year in Texas where he was one of their playoff heroes,” Salk said. “They need Mitch Garver to provide some of that insurance for Julio, some of that protection in the lineup and just be a veteran bat. You know what I want to see from him? Just RBIs, just driving in runs. I don’t care how you get there. I don’t need to see the home runs, just drive in runs, be a run producer, and if he can do that in the middle of the lineup, that will go a long way.”
Jorge Polanco
Polanco was supposed to be the answer to Seattle’s revolving door of second baseman when they sent four players to Minnesota Twins to get him this offseason, but he’s been nowhere near what the Mariners have expected. Polanco is hitting just .192 with a .606 OPS, which are both well below his career averages of .266 and .772. Perhaps most alarming has been Polanco’s skyrocketing strikeout rate. He’s fanning at a 31.5% clip this season, which is nearly 13% above his career average. The increased strikeouts are becoming a real trend for Polanco, who set career highs in strikeout rate in each of the past two seasons.
“That’s who they spent assets on in the offseason, more in terms of the prospects that they gave up, but his salary essentially replaced what they had given up in in Eugenio Suarez,” Salk said. “They were hoping because he’s a little younger, etcetera, you’d get an upgrade. You haven’t had that yet. You need that upgrade from Polanco getting on base, being productive, being a pest, giving a great at bat and, quite frankly, not striking out as much as he has.”
J.P. Crawford
J.P. Crawford is a leader in the Seattle clubhouse and broke out as one of the top offensive shortstops in 2023, setting career highs with a .380 on-base percentage, 19 homers, 65 RBIs and an .818 OPS. Crawford’s 2024 hasn’t been the same story. He was hitting just .198 with four-extra base hits in 98 plate appearances before a right oblique strain sidelined him in late April. Crawford seemed to be destined to return to the team for Friday’s series opener with Baltimore, but he was hit on the hand by a pitch in his presumed final rehab appearance with the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers. Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times reported Crawford did not travel with the team to Baltimore.
“Come back and be J.P. Crawford here heading into the next part of the season, because you do eventually want him hitting first or second in this lineup,” Salk said. “You do want his late-game heroics. You do want his clutch gene. You want everything that JP can bring to this lineup to be back and helping to make everything go at the top.”
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Julio Rodríguez
Last August was a prime example of just how scorching-hot center fielder Julio Rodríguez can be at the plate and how he alone can essentially carry the Mariners’ offense. Rodríguez put up an absurd .429/.474/.724 slash line last August, which helped Seattle surge right back into the playoff race. Rodríguez hasn’t had near the impact the Mariners had hoped earlier this season, especially when it comes to his power production. He’s last among all Mariners with at least 100 plate appearances with just two home runs and seven extra-base hits.
“It’s Julio, man. They just need Julio to be Julio, and it’s getting there,” Salk said. “The at bats are improving, the contact is getting better. (We’re) still waiting for the pop, still waiting for the big moments where he drives in big runs. He’s perfectly capable of doing it. He had the one this year, with his first walkoff. Get Julio hot, man, and just watch the rest of this team follow.”
Listen to the full Ranked segment at this link or in the audio player near the top of this story. Tune in to Brock and Salk weekdays from 6-10 a.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.
More on the Seattle Mariners
• First-place Mariners face powerful Orioles: Three things to know • Mariners the ‘team to beat’ in AL West? Why that’s now the case • Video: Bob’s Breakdown – What’s changed most since start of season? • Is expected return of Mariners’ J.P. Crawford now in doubt? • Drayer: Rojas helping Julio an example of Seattle Mariners’ offense evolving
