Lake Washington educators set strike date

Unless the district agrees to a fair contract, classified staff will strike on November 17

The following is from LWESP:

REDMOND, WA (November 12, 2025) — Members of the Lake Washington Education Support Professionals (LWESP) will be on strike Monday, Nov. 17, if school-district management and the union bargaining team are unable to reach agreement on a new contract before then.

LWESP members have been working without a contract since Aug. 31. Negotiations with the district began in March. To date, there have been 31 meetings for over 180 hours. The last scheduled bargaining session is on Thursday, Nov. 12.

“We are hopeful the district will bring a proposal that reflects our contributions to Lake Washington families and staff,” says LWESP President Lydia Wheeler.

Classified staff at Redmond Middle School represented by LWESP, SEIU 925, and Teamsters Local 763. Photo: LWESP

LWESP represents office professionals, nurses, health room office professionals and account technicians in the Lake Washington School District. Members have made clear that their top priorities must include more than 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment to wages to combat rising costs, restoration of health room office staffing, and sick leave parity with teachers.

LWESP is working with the Trades’ Council (which includes Teamsters Local 763) and SEIU 925, the other two classified units, in the district as a coalition. Members in all three units are working without a contract.

TAKE A STAND: On Wednesday, Nov. 12, join LWESP,Lake Washington Trades’ Council, Teamsters Local 763 and SEIU 925 in a solidarity rally at the Lake Washington School District office, 16250 NE 74th St., in Redmond. The solidarity rally will be held from 4-6 p.m.

Lake Washington Education Support Professionals (LWESP) is made up of 300 support professionals in the Lake Washington School District. It is affiliated with the statewide Washington Education Association and the National Education Association, both of which represent K-12 teachers, support staff and higher-education employees.