Lake Washington classified staff authorize strike

Workers across multiple unions and their allies will rally this afternoon at District offices

REDMOND, WA (November 5, 2025) — On their 66th day working under an expired contract, classified staff in the Lake Washington School District will rally to demand the district get serious in settling contracts covering hundreds of essential education staff. The workers are represented by Lake Washington Education Support Professionals (LWESP), the Lake Washington Trades Council, Teamsters Local 763, and SEIU 925; both Teamsters 763 and LWESP members voted in late October to authorize a strike, per the union.

While each union is bargaining separate contracts, they’re working together in coalition to put pressure on the district to negotiate in good faith. LWESP reports they’ve been meeting with administrators since March in an attempt to secure a new contract; to date, there have been 27 meetings with a total of 177 hours. Still, management and the workers are far apart.

The top priority for classified staff in negotiations in a meaningful raise. Workers want more than a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment, as rising prices eat up more and more of folks’ paychecks. LWESP members are also pushing for contract terms that prioritize healthy schools for students and educators, including adequate staffing in school health rooms and sufficient sick leave for staff.

Classified staff represented by the Lake Washington Education Support Professionals meet for a strike authorization vote. Photo: LWESP

Workers’ demands are focused on addressing chronic understaffing in classified staff positions, which leaves students without the full range of support needed. This is especially problematic for student success in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw a rise in students’ need for additional support. If the district can’t — or won’t — retain staff, it’s ultimately students who suffer.

“Without sufficient increases in pay, sick leave and staffing, we will continue to lose passionate, dedicated educators to other districts or professions that are willing to invest in their employees, and those losses will be felt most by the students, staff and families in our district,” LWESP President Lydia Wheeler said in a statement. “We know our members are resolved to get a contract that meets the needs of LWSD educators, and we hope the district will do the right thing and get this deal done before we need to go out on a strike.”

Classified staff are inviting supporters to join them at this afternoon’s action outside the Lake Washington School District administrative offices in Redmond and to show support for the workers by signing their petition to Superintendent Jon Holmen.

TAKE A STAND: sign the workers petition and rally with them 4-6 p.m. today, Nov. 5, at the Scarr Resource Center, 16250 NE 74th St., in Redmond.