Progress as Akron Teachers Strike Deadline Approaches

Akron, Ohio—one day before the strike deadline, Akron Teachers’ unions and school districts will close at approximately 7:30 p.m. Saturday and will resume tomorrow.

Akron Education Association President Pat Sipe said, “We will enter federal mediation and stay as long as we are required to attend landmine conferences on many issues. You will be able to attend, especially with the final outcome.” I can’t,’ he said.

This is Shipe speaking earlier in December about mediation and how she believes an agreement will be reached.

A little more than three weeks later, on December 29, a 10-day strike notice was given, with several more arbitrations scheduled.

The District has released this through its Director of Communications following notification. “Akron Public Schools values ​​and respects teachers and the work they do for our children every day. If we continue to negotiate, we will continue to support Akron educators, students, parents, and our community. We know we can come to an agreement in our best interest.”

And Shipe has this to say about the decision:

“The safety and security of our buildings remains a top priority on which we stand firm. Our community supports us and we are overwhelmed by community members, parents and students. We have a strong following,” Cipe said.

We spoke with students who supported Shipe’s statement.

“These are things that happen consistently, and we shouldn’t really be afraid to be able to go to school without fear of it, but we all don’t have weapons and hard drugs in school.” APS sophomore Cove Ferguson said:

And it now has another day for arbitration, they happened behind closed doors and both sides said 3 News had seen some progress. Akron sees his flashback to 1989.

This is a story that we will continue to follow, including tomorrow’s mediation.

If that fails and teachers go on strike, Akron Public Schools students can expect to learn virtually from Monday until the strike ends.