Washington teachers to vote on contract, strike

Patricia Albert– Photo: AP

Art Jarvis – Photo by AP

Patricia Albert – Photo by AP

Angela Evans – Photo by AP

Shannon McMinimee – Photo by AP

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Cathy Callahan – Photo by AP

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Chris Gregoire – Photo by AP

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Art Jarvis – Photo by AP

Patricia Albert – Photo by AP

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September 22, 2011 — OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — A Tacoma teachers union that has been on strike for 10 days is preparing to vote Thursday on a new contract proposal brokered in late-night talks with the governor.

Ratification of the deal would allow students to return to school Friday after eight days of cancelled classes. Union leadership touted the contract at a news conference late Wednesday, calling it "what we've been asking for."

"We have a fair contract that respects teachers and is also good for the students of Tacoma," said Andy Coons, president of the Tacoma Education Association. "We want nothing more than for school to start on Friday."

The announcement came after more than seven hours of talks at the office of Gov. Chris Gregoire, who had asked negotiators to stay until the two sides could reconcile their differences. She has no direct control over Washington schools but stepped in to use her influence as a mediator.