Members of the Marysville Education Association have authorized a meeting in August to discuss potential statewide labor actions, including a strike, over the Legislature’s continued failure to amply fund K-12 public schools as required by the Washington Constitution and the Supreme Court’s McCleary decision.

The vote authorizes the union executive board to call the meeting based on whether the Legislature has passed a budget that fully funds public education and/or attacks the collective bargaining rights of the local association.

The Legislature is in contempt of court over its failure to fully fund public schools, and daily fines now total nearly $70 million.

After a regular 105-day session and a 30-day special session, the Legislature is in its second special session, and there still is no budget agreement.

Educators oppose the budget plan written by Senate Republicans, which limits local control in schools, reduces special education funding and provides a minimal net increase in overall school funding.

It also limits educators’ ability to negotiate pay and benefits with their local school boards. The Senate GOP budget is bad for schools and students.

It would hamper our ability to meet the needs of students in Marysville public schools. We also believe it is important to stand together with other locals if a statewide action becomes necessary.

Randy Davis, Marysville Education Association president