The Greater Albany Public Schools (GAPS) announced on Sunday evening that a tentative deal was in the final stages of being inked with the Greater Albany Education Association (GAEA), the union representing striking teachers. Despite these efforts, the schools will remain shuttered on Monday, December 2, due to the unresolved details in the agreement. "The District will continue to work collaboratively with the GAEA (teachers union) on a final strike settlement agreement to end the strike and return staff to work as soon as possible," the district said in a statement obtained by KGW.
Becca Mallery from Greater Albany Public Schools spoke with KATU News, expressing optimism that the teachers' union will conduct an important vote. "Once the members (teachers) ratify the contract, it will be sent to the board for acceptance and signature," Mallery reported. While the district has informed that there would be no classes on Monday, the intention is to resume educational activities sometime during the week, assuming the agreement comes to fruition.
Complications arose, however, when early Monday morning the previously thought-to-be settled agreement unraveled. Both sides were unable to agree on standard return to work terms according to the Greater Albany Education Association. A subsequent announcement revealed that the negotiation efforts broke down around 3 a.m., and a lack of awake school board members to authorize or counter the agreement marked the hiccup in the proceedings. The information was made public in a letter from the GAPS Bargaining Team and later confirmed by the union. "Schools remained closed Monday," was the final word from the district.
The district had previously announced a two-hour late start for students following the ratification of a new deal, which is now up in the air. The bargaining teams had worked tirelessly over the holiday for a contract that needs ratification by union members and a sign-off from the school board. The Greater Albany Education Association, through a message to its members, verified reaching a full tentative agreement, but it's clear the pathway forward remains bumpy. Classes are hoped to resume once these discordant notes are smoothed out and a harmonious agreement is finally played.
