Seattle, WA
Seattle educators: Vote “no” on the sellout tentative agreement!
Seattle educators ought to overwhelmingly reject the Seattle Training Affiliation’s try to railroad them into accepting a concessions contract, which ignores every part they struck for. The SEA solely launched the complete tentative settlement (TA) on Friday, three days after abruptly ending the highly effective five-day strike by 6,000 academics, paraeducators and assist workers within the Seattle Public Colleges district.
SEA officers shut down the strike in violation of the modification adopted by membership vote, which prohibited the management from ending the strike till a TA was ratified. Like thieves within the night time, the SEA introduced it had reached a TA late within the night final Monday—despite the fact that it had not been “finalized”—after which rushed by a bogus vote based mostly on self-serving “highlights” to finish the strike earlier than anyone had an opportunity to learn, not to mention vote on the entire contract. The poll was performed on-line, with technical issues stopping the complete participation of the membership, and beneath strain of SEA President Jennifer Matter to vote for the deal.
Your entire process was a mockery of democracy, extra akin to the workings of a dictatorship than a corporation that claims to talk for academics.
This illegitimate course of has produced a TA that meets not one of the academics’ fundamental calls for, regardless of the SEA equipment’s cynical declaration that it’s “nice.” A overview of the TA, a duplicate of which was offered to the World Socialist Net Website, exhibits that the principle demand of academics, for decrease student-teacher ratios for particular training and multilingual courses, was not achieved. The overall student-teacher ratios have additionally not been lowered.
As well as, wage will increase are solely 7 % in the course of the first 12 months, 4 % in the course of the second 12 months and three % in the course of the third 12 months of contract. These are all properly under present inflation of 8.3 % and under even the wage will increase of the final contract. For the lowest-paid workers, there’s a one-time $1,500 bonus as an alternative of bringing them as much as parity with their colleagues. There are additionally solely 5 extra nurses for the whole district, nonetheless leaving lower than one full-time nurse for every constructing within the 52,000-student district.
The contract additionally maintains the reactionary “racial fairness groups” and different racially divisive measures, which the SEA proclaimed as a serious advance once they had been first handed in 2019. The groups have been put in to help in hiring and firing by racial quotas. Such measures don’t have anything to do with left-wing or progressive politics, which start with the popularity that the basic division in society is class, not race. As an alternative, these measures pit academics towards one another when what is critical is a standard combat towards any risk of layoffs and price range cuts, and to demand a large improve in funding so that each one youngsters, of all races and nationalities, can have a well-rounded and high-quality training.
The SEA and its father or mother group the Nationwide Training Affiliation (NEA) by no means wished a strike within the first place. After they had been pressured to name one due to the strain of the rank and file, the NEA set about to isolate it. As Seattle academics walked out on September 7, the NEA shut down the strike by 2,000 academics in neighboring Kent who had been preventing for a similar fundamental calls for. The NEA and its native associates additionally ensured that the quite a few different struggles throughout Washington state, together with at Eatonville, Ridgefield and Tumwater, have remained remoted from the battles in Seattle, Kent and elsewhere.
Moderately than increasing the wrestle, the SEA officers introduced in numerous Democratic Get together politicians, together with Kshama Sawant, a member of the pseudo-left teams Socialist Various and Democratic Socialists of America, to maintain the wrestle from breaking out of the confines of the union equipment. When it grew to become obvious that the strike was profitable fashionable assist and inspiring different educators to stroll out, and beneath circumstances of an impending strike by greater than 100,000 railroad staff, the NEA shut down the strike.
“We must be extremely happy with what we completed collectively,” the NEA declared, including, “We received an amazing tentative settlement and began an vital dialog with our group about supporting our college students.”
That is nonsense and Matter & Co. comprehend it. The deal, which was hailed by SPS officers, is a whole sellout of what academics struck for.
There’s widespread outrage amongst rank-and-file educators. As one educator stated, “The SEA is attempting to purchase off staff by giving categorized workers a one-time fee of $1,500. ”
Educators should arrange now to defeat this sellout contract, resume the strike and hyperlink up with different educators and staff throughout the area and the nation to launch a counteroffensive by the working class towards austerity and social inequality and the capitalist system that produces it.
From the start, the World Socialist Net Website has warned concerning the treachery of the SEA equipment and known as on educators to type their very own rank-and-file committees to take over the conduct of this wrestle. Such committees don’t have anything in widespread with the varied reform factions of the SEA, that are backed by the DSA, SA and different pseudo-left apologists for the union bureaucrats and corporate-controlled Democratic Get together.
As an alternative, these committees, elected in each college and neighborhood and led by essentially the most militant and class-conscious staff, have to be the brand new facilities of decision-making energy and rank-and-file management. As an alternative of fruitless appeals to bought-off politicians, these committees will attain out to staff and youth to combat for an enormous redistribution of wealth to fulfill social wants.
This consists of linking up educators with Kaiser Permanente psychological well being staff in northern California who’ve been on strike since early August, hanging Weyerhaeuser lumber staff in Washington and Oregon, and greater than 100,000 railroad staff throughout the nation who’re poised to go on the primary nationwide rail strike for the reason that Nineteen Sixties.
The declare by Democratic officers that the Seattle Public Colleges can not “afford” academics’ calls for is a contemptuous lie. Washington state is dwelling to a number of the most profitable firms on this planet—Boeing, Amazon, Microsoft, Starbucks—all of which the state can “afford” to present huge tax breaks. On the identical time, Biden and Congress have discovered billions to stoke up the US/NATO proxy warfare towards Russia in Ukraine, despite the fact that this threatens to impress a nuclear World Warfare III.
Academics also needs to attain out to folks for assist earlier than and through a renewed strike to clarify that their wrestle doesn’t lower throughout the pursuits of oldsters however is finally a combat for folks and college students. Any hardship for folks that want little one care throughout such a strike have to be paid for by the district, town and the state.
Seattle educators: Reject any contract that doesn’t sharply scale back student-teacher ratios, particularly in particular training! Wage will increase and cost-of-living changes should surpass hovering inflation! Type a rank-and-file committee to unite with college students, dad and mom, different educators and different sections of the working class nationally and internationally!
A Seattle police officer who hit and killed a graduate student from India with his vehicle while responding to an overdose call in January 2023 has been fired, Seattle’s interim police chief announced Monday.
Interim police chief Sue Rahr wrote in an email to employees that she fired Kevin Dave after the Seattle Office of Police Accountability determined he had violated four department policies, including one requiring officers to be responsible for safely operating a patrol vehicle, in connection with the death of Jaahnavi Kandula, according to The Seattle Times.
“I believe the officer did not intend to hurt anyone that night and that he was trying to get to a possible overdose victim as quickly as possible,” Rahr wrote.
2 DEAD AFTER SEARCH FOR SASQUATCH IN WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST
A photo of Jaahnavi Kandula is displayed with flowers, Jan. 29, 2023, in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
“However, I cannot accept the tragic consequences of his dangerous driving,” she continued. “His positive intent does not mitigate the poor decision that caused the loss of a human life and brought discredit to the Seattle Police Department.”
Rahr’s announcement comes nearly a year after King County prosecutors announced they had declined to file felony charges against Dave due to insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Dave was consciously disregarding safety when he struck and killed Kandula.
The Seattle City Attorney’s Office later issued Dave a $5,000 citation for negligent driving.
The Seattle City Attorney’s Office issued Dave a $5,000 citation for negligent driving. (iStock)
City prosecutors said Dave was driving as fast as 74 mph on a street with a 25-mph speed limit before hitting Kandula. Dave initially contested the ticket before recently agreeing to pay the fine, complete an eight-hour traffic safety course within a year and perform 40 hours of community service by Sept. 30.
Kandula’s death sparked outrage in the U.S. and India, particularly after another officer’s body-worn camera footage was made public. In the recording, that officer, Daniel Auderer, laughed and suggested Kandula’s life had “limited value” and the city should “just write a check.”
Diplomats from India called for an investigation and Seattle’s civilian watchdog found the comments by Auderer, who was a union leader, damaged the police department’s reputation and undermined public trust.
WASHINGTON STATE TEENS CHARGED AS ADULTS IN GANG-LINKED STABBING OF BOY, 14, WHO WAS TIED TO TREE, CUT OPEN
City prosecutors said Dave was driving as fast as 74 mph on a street with a 25-mph speed limit before hitting Kandula. (Seattle Police Department / File)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Auderer was eventually fired over the comments.
Kandula’s family has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against Dave and the city, alleging that Kandula experienced severe emotional distress, pain and suffering before dying from her injuries. The family said it was asking for $110 million in damages, plus $11,000. The lawsuit is scheduled to go to trial in September.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell shared some positive news for Seattle law enforcement.
According to a news release from Harrell on Tuesday, the Seattle Police Department received the highest number of applications in 10 years — more than 4,300 in 2024.
The city hired 84 cops last year and for the first time since 2020, the number of officers hired outpaced the number leaving. In 2024, 83 officers left the department but 84 were hired. The year before, 97 officers left the department and only 61 were hired. SPD reported 4,115 entry-level and 216 lateral applications in 2024, with the average total number of applications per day more than doubling.
More on MyNW: Seattle Police Department fires officer who hit and killed Jaahnavi Kandula
Harrell credited new recruiting approaches and higher pay for the boost in officers. According to the release, the department introduced electronic pre-employment background testing to keep applications moving. It also hired additional examination support staff, allowed candidates to take the agility test from home and improved candidate tracking and outreach.
The department noted there are seven steps for entry-level candidates to apply including submitting an application, completing a written test, taking a physical agility test, passing a background investigation, completing a medical evaluation and completing a polygraph assessment.
“We continue making strides towards creating the best police department to work for period,” Interim Seattle Police Chief Sue Rahr stated. “With those improvements, we are just starting to see the results, with more than 20 new officers waiting to go to the academy and hundreds more just beginning the process.”
In April, MyNorthwest investigated what officers had to say as they were leaving the department. Of the more than a dozen SPD exit interviews in 2023 acquired by MyNorthwest, 100% were of officers who served more than five years with the department, 82% were from officers who served 11-15 years, 73% from officers who served more than 15 years and 64% came from officers who reached 20 or more years of service.
Four years after CHOP (Capitol Hill Organized Protest) usurped Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood, officers were still reeling from the repercussions.
‘SPD is dying’: What Seattle police officers are saying during exit interviews
When presented with the question: What factors had a negative effect on morale in the department, Seattle police officers were nearly united in their responses.
“SPD’s political posture and city management in all categories,” one departing officer, a detective who’s been with Seattle for more than 10 years, said in response. “The morale and retention will never be achieved in the political climate of Seattle. SPD is dying and the command staff is along for the ride — watching it die.”
In total, 73% of obtained exit interviews cited city leadership as a reason for leaving. More than 80% cited staffing issues.
Now that SPD was able to hire more officers will it be able to keep them? Harrell is hopeful, stating in the release, “Since day one of my administration, officer recruitment and retention has been a major priority, and 2024’s net positive staffing — for the first time since 2019 — is a sign of progress, even as we recognize there is much more work to do.”
Contributing: Heather Bosch, KIRO Newsradio and Frank Sumrall, MyNorthwest
Julia Dallas is a content editor at MyNorthwest. You can read her stories here. Follow Julia on X here and email her here.
Seattle, WA
Julio Rodriguez of Seattle Mariners Continues to Give Back to Home Town in Dominican Republic
With about six weeks to go until position players report for spring training, Seattle Mariners star Julio Rodriguez was back in the Dominican Republic this week, continuing to give back to his hometown of Loma de Cabrera.
Spanish paper “Diario Libre” had the news on his trip, and through the use of Google translate, we have provided some of their information.
“Seattle Mariners standout center fielder Julio Rodríguez, 24, returned to his hometown this Sunday to inaugurate the renovated cultural center and officially present his foundations: Green Hope and No Limits Foundation….
“I want to thank all of you, and this is very special because I know that we are going to impact many lives. I have experienced the need of this town and this is just the beginning. Thank you again, because this is something that, as a child growing here, I never imagined. With the help of God, we will continue to develop the town sportingly, educationally and in everything that can be improved,” Rodríguez expressed in his speech.
Rodriguez also held a baseball and basketball clinic for the kids in town as he continues to do good work throgh his No Limits Foundation.
Back in 2023, Rodriguez donated a new ambulance to his hometown.
You can see pictures from this event here, courtesy of veteran reporter Hector Gomez.
Rodriguez, who just turned 24 years old, is one of the best young players in baseball. Though he had a down year in 2024 by his own lofty standards, he still hit .273 with 20 homers and 68 RBI. He also played excellent defense in center field and stole 24 bases.
The Mariners went 85-77.
Continue to follow our Inside the Mariners coverage on social media by liking us on Facebook and by following Teren Kowatsch and Brady Farkas on “X” @Teren_Kowatsch and @wdevradiobrady. You can subscribe to the “Refuse to Lose” podcast by clicking HERE.
Hawks' Trae Young sinks desperation 3-pointer from beyond half-court to give team win
Top tech stealing the show at CES 2025
Column: Here's one key reform that can fix U.S. healthcare
'Shifting Gears' brings Tim Allen back to TV, along with some familial political differences
Man who exploded Tesla Cybertruck outside Trump hotel in Las Vegas used generative AI, police say
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
Why Marjorie Taylor Greene was ‘kicked out’ of the Freedom Caucus according to Rep. Buck
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
German politicians rebuke Trump over NATO defence spending demand
As winter storms strike, airlines scramble to de-ice planes and keep them flying
Photos: Pacific Palisades Wildfire Engulfs Homes in an L.A. Neighborhood
Trump trolls Canada again, shares map with country as part of US: 'Oh Canada!'
Former Cambodian opposition MP shot dead in Bangkok ‘assassination’
-
Business1 week agoThese are the top 7 issues facing the struggling restaurant industry in 2025
-
Culture1 week agoThe 25 worst losses in college football history, including Baylor’s 2024 entry at Colorado
-
Sports7 days agoThe top out-of-contract players available as free transfers: Kimmich, De Bruyne, Van Dijk…
-
Politics5 days agoNew Orleans attacker had 'remote detonator' for explosives in French Quarter, Biden says
-
Politics5 days agoCarter's judicial picks reshaped the federal bench across the country
-
Politics4 days agoWho Are the Recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom?
-
Health3 days agoOzempic ‘microdosing’ is the new weight-loss trend: Should you try it?
-
World1 week agoIvory Coast says French troops to leave country after decades