WASHINGTON — The Washington Teachers' Union (WTU) and DC Public Schools held an early-morning negotiation session Thursday. The union says it is fighting for safer schools and a new contract. The current contract has expired.
Thursday's meeting between the WTU Contact Bargaining Team and DCPS began at 5 a.m. at the Office of Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining at the Marion Barry Building in Northwest D.C. It's the second round of contract negotiations.
Teachers who attended the negotiations were expected to report for duty by 8 a.m. for the school day.
"I'm angry at the disrespect factor," said teacher Lisa Haynes. "I truly was a part of the team who thought, 'I'm not getting up at 5 in the morning and going anywhere.' But as a part of the team, you take one for the team."
Haynes and other educators showed up to the meeting in pajamas to protest the timing of Thursday's meeting.
DCPS provided WUSA9 with the following statement on negotiations:
"DC Public Schools continues to negotiate with the Washington Teachers’ Union in good faith. It is important for both parties to work together to produce a fair contract to succeed the current agreement and reflect the District’s appreciation for educators and commitment to our students and residents. While times and locations for negotiation sessions are confidential pursuant to District of Columbia Official Code §1-617.17(h), they are mutually agreed upon prior to being scheduled."
The second round of negotiations wrapped up around 7 a.m. with no tentative agreement reached. We will continue to follow this story as it develops.
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