February 9, 2021
The Seattle Education Association is the voice for educators and our students, standing united to address the needs of our community during this pandemic and to transform our district into an anti-racist school system where every student thrives.
ACT NOW: Show your SEA Solidarity!
Calling on every SEA educator and ally to post one of these images (three original graphics by SEA educator Glynn Rosenberg) to your social media account with the hashtag #SEAStrong. We want the school community to understand March 1 was the district’s goal - not created in collaboration with SEA. The district needs to be more transparent with families, students, and educators and stop adding to the stress we all feel during this difficult time. If you do not have a social media account, please forward this email to your friends and family who do. We want to flood social media with our message.

Follow up this action by searching Facebook and Twitter for the hashtag #SEAStrong to like, share/retweet, and comment on your colleagues’ messages and photos.
From the Bargaining Table

The SEA bargaining team is waiting on a counter proposal from SPS to SEA’s proposals submitted so far. If you would like to read the SEA Leaves & Accommodations Proposal, click here. If you would like to read the SEA Health Safety Initial Proposal, click here. Note - there are many additional proposals SEA continues to work on including additional health and safety, workload and expectations, and a phased-in system to bring back students for in-person services.
 
We know the more member input we have, the stronger our proposals are. Help inform the bargain - take this follow-up survey from SEA today (click here).
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
 
If you have any additional questions or concerns related to the information below, please contact us at [email protected].
 
Question: If I am asked to be on site, but I feel unsafe or unable to do my work in that workspace, what protections do I have? Can I refuse to go in to work?
 
  • Answer: In our remote model, all work that can be done remotely will be done remotely. If you are informed you have essential duties on-site, all health and safety requirements in the August 2020 MOU must be met.
 
  • Action Steps: (1) Ask your administrator/COVID site supervisor for a written copy of the Health and Safety plan for your school/program that addresses all the protocols outlined in the August 2020 MOU. (2) You also have the right to request an HVAC assessment of your workspace from SPS prior to any on-site work. Ask your administrator/COVID site supervisor whether this assessment has been done for your planned workspace. If so, request that they forward it to you. If it has not been done, then SPS must do an assessment prior to any work on-site. Employees have the right to refuse unsafe work. See the L&I guidance here.
 
Question: How do I apply for accommodations or leave if I am in a high-risk category?
 
  • Answer: WEA has provided template letter for employees who may need accommodations or a 504 due to the COVID pandemic. Access the accommodation template here. Also see pp.35-40 of MOU to read about Accommodations, Leaves, & Benefits and Alternative Work Assignments in more detail.
Upcoming Engagement Opportunities
Join us for the first Disability Justice Coalition meeting February 10, 5-6pm on Zoom!
We are so excited to build community through the Disability Justice Coalition. Our first meeting will be on Wednesday, February 10 from 5:00 – 6:00pm and will center around building community as SEA members who are experiencing, in solidarity with, or are curious about disability justice. All members are welcome! Please sign up here.
 
Zoom link:
How to Stay Connected:
The 2019-2022 Contracts are posted on the SEA Website!