September 30th, 2024

Albany teachers rally for 'fair contract'

Michael Thomson, former GAPS School Board member, showed up in support of the teachers. Thomson is running for the Albany City Council Ward 1B seat in the Nov. 5 election.

  About 300 members of the Greater Albany Education Association and supporters turned out for a rally in support of a "fair contract" late Monday afternoon in front of North Albany Middle School.
  On display during the hourlong rally was a banner directed "To GAPS Management & School Board" and signed by nearly all of the district's more than 600 certified staff members.  The banner further read, "We stand together, fighting for a new union contract that includes the following bargaining priorities:
  "• Student and Teacher Safety & Support.
  "• Retention & Recruitment.
  "• Workload and Professional Learning.
  "• Health & Benefits."
  The rally included a number of chants and speeches by GAEA President Dana Lovejoy and the teachers' union presidents from Portland and Corvallis.
  Following the hourlong rally, many people walked inside the school for a scheduled School Board listening session. Many signed up to speak.

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Brandy Riker, a South Albany parent, holds a sign in support of the teachers.

Dana Lovejoy, Greater Albany Education Association president, outlines the union's bargaining priorities in this video.

Democrat-Herald Story