Seattle Education Association union members have approved a new three-year deal with Seattle Public Schools.

The union vote announced Tuesday morning comes a week after the district’s educators agreed to start the school year after a five-day strike with wins on special education and salaries.

“Ratifying our contracts is one step in our longer-term fight for the public schools our students deserve and the respected, well-compensated jobs we deserve,” union leadership said in a statement. “From the November general election, to the 2023 Legislative Session, to our Labor-Management Committees, and to enforcing our contract at our work sites, our work doesn’t stop. We have the strength and resolve and the community support to push onward.”

In the new three-year pact, the district agreed to 7% raises for educators across the board, plus a 4% salary increase in year two, and a 3% raise in year three to cover the cost of inflation.

CHS reported here on the formation of picket lines at public schools across Capitol Hill, the Central District, and the city as the 6,000 or so member strong union went on strike for the first time in seven years over pay and issues including how the district staffs important programs like special education.

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