Strongsville Teacher Strike at High School

Strongsville teachers picket on Lunn Road outside of Strongsville High School March 4. (Kyle Lanzer/Sun News)

(Photo by KYLE LANZER, SUN NEWS)

Strongsville Teachers on Strike 3 Gallery: Strongsville Teachers on Strike

STRONGSVILLE-

Strongsville teachers officially voted to go on strike late March 3.

In a

that afternoon, Christine Canning, spokesperson for the Strongsville Education Association, asked "How'd we get here?"

Here's a quick timeline, beginning at the last round of negotiations.

Sept. 2, 2010: Strongsville teachers rally outside school board office

Teachers

, after the previous contract had expired and reduction-in-force notices had greeted teachers on their first day back to school.

March 2, 2011: Strongsville teachers approve new two-year contract





The

with the SEA agreeing to more than $2 million in concessions, including two-year step and column freezes and paying 10 percent of health insurance premiums with a $150 cap per family. The agreement was retroactive to July 1, 2010.

June 30, 2012: Teachers contract expires





The teachers contract expired on June 30 of last year, but the SEA and the school board agreed to hold off on beginning negotiations so the district could have a better financial understanding of its budget.

July 9, 2012: Contract negotiations begin

The opening bargaining session began July 9, according to

. The sides negotiated again Oct. 16, and continued to about twice a month.

Jan. 17: Teachers silently protest board meeting





The

well came Jan. 17, when more than 300 teachers filed silently into the school board's regular meeting. The teachers stayed for about 15 minutes, and left before the meeting was over.

Jan. 30: SEA declares impasse in negotiations





The teachers union officially declared an impasse on Jan. 30, after consecutive negotiations ended with no progress, according to its website. The impasse triggered the involvement of a federal mediator.

Feb. 7: Hundreds of teachers chant, threaten strike at school board work session





Things became apparent the two sides were finding compromise difficult when more than

"Fair Contract" and "Shame on you, John," referencing Superintendent John Krupinski, at a school board work session Feb. 7.

Feb. 15: SEA president said board did not follow through on previous promises





Teachers union president Tracy Linscott said the reason the SEA is putting up a fight this round of negotiations was because

after the last round of negotiations.

Feb. 15: Teachers approve strike authorization vote





At its general meeting Feb. 15, the

10 days before an anticipated strike date.

Feb. 21: SEA delivers intent to strike to superintendent





The teachers union

, putting the district on 10-day's notice that its members will strike if a contract isn't reached by March 4.

Feb. 21: Teachers vote no confidence in school board, disrupt board meeting





At a raucous night at Strongsville High School Feb. 21, the

and lambasted the board in the public comment section. Board president David Frazee suggested making each side's proposals public.

Feb. 22: District begins advertising for substitute teaching positions





The

in preparation for a March 4 strike with Alternative Workforce Inc., a subsidiary of Huffmasters. An ad in the employment section of the Sunday Plain Dealer was taken out Feb. 25.

Feb. 25: Another round of negotiations ends with no deal





After failing to come to an agreement again, the two sides agreed to a final March 2 negotiation date.

March 1: Teachers leave school on last day before potential strike





Teachers

, with most choosing to empty all their personal belongings, posters, furniture and decorations.



March 2: Negotiations end with no deal





After more than eight hours of negotiating,

. The Board presented its last, best offer to the SEA, and the Board would not accept a counter proposal.

March 2: School board publishes both proposals after no deal is reached



After no deal was reached in negotiations that day,

to its Negotiation News website.



March 3: Teachers protest potential substitutes at police station (VIDEO)





Facing a March 4 strike, the district hired its substitute teachers and security personnel March 3, with the help of the Strongsville Police Department conducting background checks. Many

. One man can be heard telling a woman - who was not there to apply for a job - "Rosa Parks would be ashamed."



March 3: Strongsville teachers overwhelmingly vote to strike March 4





Meeting at the Strongsville Holiday Inn in the evening,

effective at midnight March 4.

More Strongsville stories

Contact Shaffer at (216) 986-5479 or cshaffer@sunnews.com.

Follow me on Twitter @cory_shaffer