Now that the Washington Legislature has approved billions in funding for educator salaries, we have a tremendous opportunity to negotiate significant pay raises in coming months.

Watch the new WEA video about negotiating pay raises at the local level.

Our union colleagues in West Virginia, Oklahoma and Arizona have stood united in their demands for higher salaries. Here in Washington, we’ve been fighting for years to make sure the Legislature is amply funding our public schools – including competitive, professional pay for all educators.

The money is there, but raises don’t happen by accident. School administrators already are trying to lowball pay increases for school employees. Watch the new WEA video that features Washington legislators talking about the need to increase pay – and the need to negotiate.