Labor Strike, Crisis Communications

Aug. 21 – Sept. 17, 2019

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Tue, Aug 21 Our schools face unnecessary, looming financial disaster, and I'm upset. 11518 49.3% 21.1% https://conta.cc/2T7TQSe

Tue, Aug 28 State mediator requested to help reach agreement on one-year salary adjustments 11518 49.5% 35.4% https://conta.cc/2T9kjPi

Tue, Sep 4 Tacoma Schools increases salary offer to Tacoma teachers, see the proposal 25302 46.8% 9.8% https://conta.cc/2T9FDnB

Wed, Sep 5 All schools closed. The Tacoma teachers union has decided to strike tomorrow, Thursday, September 6. 770 48.1% 5.9% https://conta.cc/2T8C2q1

Thu, Sep 6 All schools closed. The Tacoma teachers union has decided to continue its strike tomorrow, Friday, September 7 789 41.9% 4.5% https://conta.cc/2TcvoPA

Thu, Sep 6 All schools closed. The Tacoma teachers union has decided to continue its strike tomorrow, Friday, September 7 24629 39.6% 3.6% https://conta.cc/2TaIBby

Fri, Sep 7 Tacoma Public Schools will request that salary negotiations with the Tacoma Education Association move to fact-finding and non-binding arbitration.

20385 45.9% 12.1% https://conta.cc/2T6AgFV

Sat, Sep 8 All Tacoma Public Schools will remain closed on Monday, Sept. 10 due to the strike by the Tacoma Education Association. 789 42.2% 7% https://conta.cc/2T7VWBA

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Mon, Sep 10 Tacoma Education Association declines Tacoma Public Schools’ request to join together in a binding arbitration process and immediately end the strike.

20366 43.9% 3.8% https://conta.cc/2T669yp

Tue, Sep 11 Negotiations continue, all schools will remain closed Wednesday Sept. 12 20353 41.7% 5.4% https://conta.cc/2TdYmOX

Wed, Sep 12 Tacoma Schools' latest offer to the Tacoma Education Association represents a 12.45 percent overall increase 20346 42.9% 6.7% https://conta.cc/2T6lsag

Wed, Sep 12 Tacoma schools will remain closed to students and the public on Thursday, Sept. 13 due to the ongoing strike. 20343 38.1% 3.5% https://conta.cc/2T6Ai0v

Key Messages Mentioned 8/29 8/30 8/31 9/01-9/04 9/05 9/06 9/07-08-09 9/10

The funding formula put in place by the legislature created winners and losers.

levy that would allow us to collect $72 million a year. But the state’s new formula limits our local levy to $40

million a year. That’s $32 million less per year than our voters said they’d support and $46 million less every

year than voters have given us over the past four years.

X

The state funding formula gives us $50 million in so-called new money—but our local levy dropped by $46

million a year, so that’s just $4 million a year more than we currently receive in total funding. Moreover, $14

million of that state money comes with strings attached.

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districts like Tacoma, which already had an average salary above the state average, are limited by the law to no

more than a 3.1 percent increase for the 2018-2019 school year.

Due to the reduced overall funding we received from the state and local levy, we don’t have the dollars to

provide more than that 3.1 percent increase for the upcoming school year.

We value our teachers / believe they deserve more money / want to stay competitive in the marketplace to

continue attracting the best teachers / wish Tacoma was part of the windfall other districts received / have

prided ourselves for being one of the highest-paid districts in the region

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Without a fix in the next legislative session, we will face a $25 million budget deficit—any many staff and

program cuts—in the 2019-2020 school year.

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We are working toward a long-term solution with legislators XXXXX

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Acc. to Washington AG, state and local public employees, including teachers ,have no legally protected right to

strike

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5-year CBA already in place with TEA expires Aug. 31, 2019. It allows TEA to reopen negotiations solely for salary

adjustments if they chose to exercise that option, which they did.

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In the budget for 2018-2019, we have allocated funds to begin creating smaller class sizes in K-2, as legislature

required. By doing so, we have had to hire more teachers to take on the additional classes

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CALL TOPIC TRACKER

CALL TOPIC TRACKERThanks for your response. We will share it with the school board/supt XXX XXXXXXXX X XXXXXXXXX XXXXXX

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Formula creates winners and losers; TPS loses $385/student in combined state/local levy funding in 2019-20 X

Yes, you can email board members X

Bulleted Info from Tues 9/4 (re: new offer) to families/

Details of Offer from 9/11

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Carla salary. Superintendent Santorno’s salary is commensurate with the other large school districts in the

state. / explain other top admin salaries

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Explain $12 million one-time funding X

We'll update you/check the web XXXXXXXXXXXX X X

Kinder will start 3 days after grades 1-12 start XX

High school sports YES/ MS NO/ Elementary thru our partner orgs XXXXXX

Contact your school about meet & greet/similar events X

We are not canceling teacher health insurance X

We understand your concerns. We're working to resolve the labor issues XXXXXXXXX

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Avg teacher pay w/ benefits: In 2017-18, the average teacher salary was $74,800; with benefits, it was

$104,000.

X X

All employees, including exempts/admins who received 3.1%, face increased benefits costs XX XX

In the 2018-19 budget, there’s increase in teachers (+ 18.74) and a decrease in administrators (- 3.45). XX

exempts/admins received 3.1% pay increase this year X

There have been no funds from the legislature specifically earmarked for teachers. XX X

Typical to cancel board meeting during strike XX

Makeup days TBA

Explained board stipends/where to find other salaries X

Question/comment topics

Superintendent pay/ raise X XX XXXX X XXXX

CALL TOPIC TRACKERSupport for teachers/pay the teachers more XXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX

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District / teachers should find a way to make do with the money they have. XXXX XX

Too many high-paid administrators X XXXX XXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXX

District showing lack of leadership, not being truthful XX XXX X XXX XX XXXXXX

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Supports district XXXXX XXX XXXXX XXXXXX

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Teacher strikes are illegal XXX XXX

Why about reducing class size XX XXXX

Can I email board members? X XXXXXXX

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Work to fix this in Oly XX XX X

School tomorrow? When will strike end? Makeup days when? XXXXXXXX

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Kinder start? XX

What about sports? XXXXXX

Teacher meet & greet X

Reporting rumor that we will punish teachers by cancelling their health insurance X

We lived thru last strike. Are now questioning staying in public schools X

What is avg teacher pay w/ benefits X

Resents end of year book distribution to kids/unecessary $$ X

Teacher health insurance up; raises won't cover X

Fact finding is a delay/stall tactic X XXX

Strike is harming our students from high-poverty families X

Both sides share blame XX

Cancelled board meeting; don't hide from public XX

Fire striking teachers and hire new ones XX

Everyone loses; district will lose good teachers & scare away new hires X

Where to find board and admin salaries X

Employee questions about the current offer X

ROBO-CALLSDate Message # sent to telephone # delivered to telephone # sent to email # delivered to email SMS sent to SMS Sent good SMS failed

8/30 Update on possible strike; talks continueGeneral message

20,700 18,625 15,287 12,684 16 5,097 158

9/4 Tacoma teachers vote to strike Sept. 6General message

26,025 23,402 15,603 12,967 19,709 6,140 163

9/4 Strike Sept. 6 if no agreement reachedSpanish version

592 436

9/5 School is canceled Thursday, Sept. 6Spanish version

593 435

9/5 School is canceled for Thursday, September 6

1,140 1,030 345 258 925 64 2

9/5 School is canceled Thursday, Sept. 6General message

26,101 23,465 15,675 13,002 19,811 6,165 163

9/6 School is canceled Friday, Sept. 7Spanish version?

598 439

9/6 School is canceled Friday, Sept. 7General message

26,206 23,177 15,743 13,091 19,972 6,226 165

9/7 Important labor negotiations update Sept. 7Translated message

597 438

9/7 Important labor negotiations update Sept. 7General message

26,233 22,980 15,779 13,040 20,014 6,235 173

9/9 Tacoma schools closed Monday, Sept. 10General message

26,248 23,359 15,801 13,063 20,054 6,258 173

9/10 Tacoma schools closed Sept. 11, translated 594 439

ROBO-CALLS TO FAMILIES AND STAFFDate Message # sent to telephone # delivered to telephone # sent to email # delivered to email SMS sent to SMS Sent good SMS failed

9/10 Tacoma schools closed Sept. 11General message

26,247 23,506 15,798 13,123 20,052 6,261 170

9/11 Tacoma schools closed Sept. 12General message

26,255 23,656 15,818 13,117 20,278 6,273 172

9/11 Tacoma schools closed Sept. 12, translated 595 436

9/12 Schools closed Thursday, Sept. 13 due to strikeStudents & families only

21,061 19,012 15,659 12,955 17,491 5,315 152

9/12 Schools closed to public; open to working staffStaff

6,025 5,477 174 170 2,603 1,126 16

9/13 School closed Friday, Sept. 14General message

26,251 23,630 15,815 13,149 20,091 6,291 165

9/13 TPS, teachers in tentative agreement to end strikeGeneral message

26,249 23,647 15,830 13,117 20,091 6,287 169

9/17 Kindergarten & Preschool State DatesPreK-K families

3,338 3,133 2,309 1,999 2,809 1,265 29

9/17 Kindergarten & Preschool Start Dates, translatedPreK-K families

58 44

ROBO-CALL SAMPLESGood evening, [ school name ] families,

This is principal [ name ] with a very important message.

Tacoma Education Association members have voted for a strike to begin the first day of school Thursday, Sept 6. Due to the strike, school buildings will remain closed during strike day, and we will reschedule our [ event ] for families to [ date ].

For regular updates and background information, please go to the district’s website at www.tacomaschools.org/funding. You can email your questions to info@tacoma.k12.wa.us or call the Public Information Office at 253-571-1079.

Good evening, [ school name ] families,

This is principal [ name ] with a very important message.

Tacoma Education Association members are currently on strike. Due to the strike, school buildings will remain closed during strike days and all school sponsored events, including [day's] [event] will be canceled. We apologize and look forward to school starting soon.

For regular updates and background information, please go to the district’s website at www.tacomaschools.org/funding. You can email your questions to info@tacoma.k12.wa.us or call the Public Information Office at 253-571-1079.

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FACEBOOK SENTIMENT

Like Love Haha Wow sad angry

FACEBOOK POSTS

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URL Impressions Engagement

https://www.facebook.com/tacomaschools/posts/2102933766407345 8190 2902

https://www.facebook.com/tacomaschools/videos/vb.112498138784261/2010408179265724/?type=2&theater

https://www.facebook.com/tacomaschools/photos/a.136806496353425/2113003722067016 8256 3678

https://www.facebook.com/tacomaschools/posts/2115405791826809 6931 2229

https://www.facebook.com/tacomaschools/posts/2119969021370486 7698 2414

https://www.facebook.com/tacomaschools/posts/2120413374659384 7411 3082

FACEBOOK POSTS

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URL Impressions Engagement

https://www.facebook.com/tacomaschools/posts/2121435317890523 11,879 9,269

https://www.facebook.com/tacomaschools/photos/a.136806496353425/2121678677866187 45,879 18,044

https://www.facebook.com/tacomaschools/videos/424827208041457 31,363 5,527

https://www.facebook.com/tacomaschools/photos/a.136806496353425/2122452701122118/?type=3&

theater6816 1836

https://www.facebook.com/tacomaschools/photos/a.136806496353425/2122826317751423 31,610 10,165

https://www.facebook.com/tacomaschools/posts/2123536494347072 10,799 1,766

https://www.facebook.com/tacomaschools/posts/2123992150968173 13,327 10,440

FACEBOOK POSTS

Image Facebook

URL Impressions Engagement

https://www.facebook.com/tacomaschools/photos/a.136806496353425/2124702857563769 10,515 6,671

https://www.facebook.com/tacomaschools/posts/2125150070852381 9,293 5,485

https://www.facebook.com/tacomaschools/photos/a.136806496353425/2126515337382521 18,453 9,561

https://www.facebook.com/tacomaschools/photos/a.136806496353425/2128737293826992 10,059 6,772

https://www.facebook.com/tacomaschools/photos/a.136806496353425/2129027650464623 15,345 9,018

https://www.facebook.com/tacomaschools/photos/a.136806496353425/2129977967036258 13,813 9,779

FACEBOOK POSTS

Image Facebook

URL Impressions Engagement

https://www.facebook.com/tacomaschools/photos/a.136806496353425/2130362010331187 9,574 3,331

https://www.facebook.com/tacomaschools/videos/1921641504796449 14,859 10,560

https://www.facebook.com/tacomaschools/posts/2131309083569813 10,111 6,544

https://www.facebook.com/tacomaschools/photos/a.136806496353425/2131598553540866 32,027 17,889

https://www.facebook.com/tacomaschools/photos/a.136806496353425/2132487130118675/ 6,957 4,348

https://www.facebook.com/tacomaschools/photos/a.136806496353425/2132965280070860 9,457 2,830

https://www.facebook.com/tacomaschools/photos/a.136806496353425/2133008153399906 37,427 11,927

FACEBOOK POSTS

Image Facebook

URL Impressions Engagement

https://www.facebook.com/tacomaschools/posts/2133985106635544 7,579 4,365

https://www.facebook.com/tacomaschools/videos/2181763495481806/?v=2181763495481806 3708 569

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2078478742185210 5731 1260

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2415960695301782 9,928 2,776

https://www.facebook.com/tacomaschools/videos/1113346302161611/ 4848 1508

https://www.facebook.com/tacomaschools/videos/722081321467076/?v=722081321467076 2,692 1136

https://www.facebook.com/pg/tacomaschools/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2137741209593267 2988 796

https://www.facebook.com/tacomaschools/videos/306294653491262 3527 544

TWITTER POSTS

Tweet text impressions engagements engagement rate

Welcome back! Ringing the school bell at the Central Admin. Building is an honored #Tacoma tradition. Today, @WeTeachTacoma President Angel Morton joined Superintendent Carla Santorno & @tacomaschools Board Vice President Karen Vialle to ring in the 2018-19 year. #TPSFirstDay https://t.co/ai464Fa7Jb

2616 164 6%

Great news! @Tacomaschools and @WeTeachTacoma have reached a tentative agreement to end the strike. We are excited to welcome students back, school is now scheduled to begin Monday, September 17 pending a vote on the agreement by TEA members. https://t.co/NIUA9yxNP4 https://t.co/DsiKDXVr2y

31359 1040 3%

Tacoma schools will remain closed to students and the public on Friday, Sept. 14. For details and answers to questions, please go to the district’s website at https://t.co/MUgQDHRPxR. You can email your questions to info@tacoma.k12.wa.us or call 253-571-1079. https://t.co/nlpS9GuCGw

13599 216 2%

Tacoma schools will remain closed to students and the public on Thursday, Sept. 13 due to the ongoing strike. All district buildings, including schools, will reopen to all 10-month and 12-month staff members, including teachers, on Thursday, Sept. 13.https://t.co/kFc3mH5pDh https://t.co/leUNkdI8lY

23728 545 2%

We want to reach an agreement with @WeTeachTacoma that honors their work. @tacomaschools latest offer represents a 12.45 percent overall increase.https://t.co/MUgQDHRPxR https://t.co/IpLyOHSSDN

5837 829 14%

The Tacoma School Board President to issue a statement on negotiations with Tacoma Education Association LIVE on our Facebook at 9 a.m. https://t.co/8zOVvR8a7x

3429 174 5%

Due to the continued strike all schools will remain closed Wednesday, September 12. Negotiations continued today between @tacomaschools and @WeTeachTacoma for salary increases for the 2018-2019 school year. https://t.co/BQVnRv5OGU https://t.co/9jHpLsJG8Q

16453 306 2%

Eight legislators confirm: That the funding formula #WALeg agreed upon in 2017 disproportionately affected Tacoma Schools & that this inequity “has placed Tacoma schools in one of the most difficult positions of any district in Washington.― READ: https://t.co/kFc3mH5pDh

12045 621 5%

TWITTER POSTS TWEET TEXT IMPRESSIONS ENGAGEMENTS ENGAGEMENT RATE

All Tacoma Public Schools will remain closed on Tuesday, Sept. 11 due to the strike by the Tacoma Education Association. https://t.co/bvuNvYza40 https://t.co/4gV8S4nLZw

7470 352 5%

How does Tacoma’s latest offer compare to other Pierce County districts? On Friday Tacoma Public Schools submitted a proposal to We Teach Tacoma - Tacoma Education Association. We’ve included the entry level salary for teachers, the median salary and top of the scale salary. https://t.co/gbHcdpkWPn

7444 915 12%

All Tacoma Public Schools will remain closed on Monday, Sept. 10 due to the strike by the Tacoma Education Association. https://t.co/BQVnRv5OGU https://t.co/fWiXvDoNsw

10776 445 4%

TPS will request that salary negotiations with the TEA move to fact-finding and non-binding arbitration. Over the weekend you will receive notification on whether schools will remain closed on Monday. https://t.co/BQVnRv5OGU https://t.co/PnwNmMBbCH

11665 639 5%

See the latest proposals from Tacoma Public Schools: https://t.co/BQVnRv5OGU https://t.co/jCCXC9DdMg 7261 169 2%

We want to help you understand the latest offer from @tacomaschools. We will keep you informed as negotiations continue.

View the 2017-18 salary schedule: https://t.co/HkVZZy3lTe

See the latest proposals from Tacoma Public Schools: https://t.co/dlUQ2AFln8 https://t.co/fsXBQg5rEy

5419 555 10%

ALL SCHOOLS CLOSED. The Tacoma teachers union has decided to continue its strike tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 7. Before noon today at the bargaining table, the district bargaining team delivered a new proposal to the TEA bargaining team. Read the highlights at https://t.co/kFc3mH5pDh https://t.co/hcxF2bZITz

20550 931 5%

Starting today, 12 schools from across the district will be serving breakfast and lunch to students during strike days. Meals will be available to ALL Tacoma students for FREE. https://t.co/LJg0vsgIEl

11096 310 3%

TWITTER POSTS TWEET TEXT IMPRESSIONS ENGAGEMENTS ENGAGEMENT RATE

ALL SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED SEPTEMBER 6. The Tacoma teachers union has decided to strike tomorrow, Thursday, September 6. All Tacoma Public Schools will be closed until the union strike is over. Find a list of resources including childcare and food for students on our website. https://t.co/rWdlNifTGq 15769 689 4%

Last night Tacoma Education Association members voted for a strike to begin the first day of school Thursday, Sept. 6 unless anagreement is reached before 5 p.m. today. We will notify families by phone, email and social media about the start of school as soon as we know more. https://t.co/sHrNhF92dz 14233 243 2%

The Tacoma School Board meeting is broadcasting live on Facebook at https://t.co/xJURYVvi4V #TacomaSchools 4996 107 2%

Watch the @tacomaschools board meeting live at 8 a.m. on Facebook. https://t.co/P2PyBscsYX 4850 58 1%

UPDATE: We have received notice that the @WeTeachTacoma members have voted for a strike to begin the first day of school Thursday, Sept. 6 unless an agreement is reached before then. https://t.co/anl4AeQF4A https://t.co/7hFMoipSMa 6239 350 6%

Tacoma Schools increases salary offer to Tacoma teachers. Review both proposals and read more on our site at https://t.co/e6L3B2J2KO…/funding-updates.aspx https://t.co/09hpS7yu9e 7464 994 13%

Negotiations continued through the weekend, read the latest: https://t.co/BQVnRv5OGU https://t.co/UbD9JBosbT 4291 110 3%

UPDATE: Bargaining will continue through the weekend and we hope to reach an agreement before the scheduled start of school on Thursday, Sept. 6. Learn more about what’s happening and our current financial status by visiting our website https://t.co/MUgQDHRPxR. 5321 128 2%

State mediator requested to help reach agreement on one-year salary adjustments. Read the full update on our website https://t.co/BQVnRv5OGU https://t.co/6COkIasLGq 4338 76 2%

@aaromar @washingtonea Hi @Aaromar. Additional information is available on our funding site at https://t.co/anl4AeQF4A 266 7 3%

Our schools face unnecessary, looming financial disaster, and I'm upset. https://t.co/8fHOYcoEmA 4578 86 2%

MEDIA TRACKER (EXAMPLE)News Outlet Reporter Phone number or email Date Time Action

KOMO Radio Carleen Johnson 8/29 Recorded voice interview over the phone

KIRO TV Kevin McCarty 8/29 10:10 a.m. Request by text for on camera interview

Seattle Times Melissa Santos, editorial writer 8/29 10:29 a.m. Document requested: 4-year budget projection TPS sent to

OSPI as required by HB2242

TNT Ediitorial Board Matt Misterek 8:29 11:45 a.m. Fact-checking TEA OpEd submitted for publication.

KIRO Radio Jillian 8/29 4:10 p.m. Recorded voice interview over the phone on status of labor

negotiations

KING TV Jenna Hanchard 8/29 1:53 p.m. Request via text for on camera interivew after TEA

membership vote

KCPQ-13 TV Hana Kim 8/29 9:32 a.m.-12:37 p.m. Text requests for information