Pittsburgh-Area School District Teachers Authorize Strike

McKEESPORT, PA — The union representing McKeesport Area School District teachers has authorized a strike. The McKeesport Area Education Association said the strike vote was unanimous.

Teachers have worked without a new contract since Aug. 31 after school directors reneged on a tentative contract agreement reached in June. That agreement called for raises between 3 percent and 6.5 percent over the next five years.

The school board in August voted not to ratify the pact, with directors saying at the time the district couldn't afford the raises without raising taxes and furloughing teachers.

A work stoppage will not happen immediately. Union president Gerald McGrew told WPXI-TV that the union will see what occurs at the next school board meeting before officially calling for a strike.

Under state law, the union would have to provide the district 48 hours notice before a work stoppage could begin.