Ohio teachers union on strike days before school starts

Teachers in Columbus, Ohio, went on strike Monday, forcing the school to start the year Wednesday with online classes. 

The Columbus Education Association said Sunday that 94% of its members "voted to reject Board’s last, best and final offer and go on strike for the first time since 1975."

The Columbus School Board said it offered teachers a "generous compensation package" and called the vote "incredibly disappointing."

National Education Association President Becky Pringle offered support for the local chapter, stating: "Educators (and our students) deserve more. We deserve better."

Columbus teachers negotiated 22 times with the school district over five months before deciding to strike, WCMH reported. The Columbus Education Association, which oversees Ohio's largest school district, filed a notice to strike earlier this month if an agreement could not be produced.

Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther on Sunday evening urged both the Columbus Education Association and the school district to return to negotiations. "More than anything, the pandemic has made clear the importance of having kids in the classroom," he wrote.