After negotiating late into the night Tuesday, the district and the union failed to agree on a contract, reports The Seattle Times.
Teachers are calling for pay increases and more support for special education and multilingual students.
The district announced late Tuesday afternoon that classes would be postponed Wednesday because of the strike. The district also canceled school on Thursday and Friday as negotiations continued.
The Seattle Education Association wants staff ratios for disabled and multilingual students maintained as the district aims to provide more services in general education classrooms. The union also wants the district to provide those students with interpretation and translation services in meetings with parents and on official documents.
Increases in educator pay also are up for negotiation. The union wants the district to increase wages above the state-funded 5.5% cost of living adjustment. The district is offering a package of pay increases.
The Seattle district enrolls about 50,000 students.
