AKRON, Ohio — Violence and lack of protection are two of the main reasons Akron Public Schools was put on a 10 day strike notice today according to President of the Akron Education Association union Pat Shipe.
"Rather than supporting them, we as educators are being asked to accept more and more violent language, violent assaults, violent behaviors from our students and we have had enough," President of the Akron Education Association union Pat Shipe said.
At this point, teachers have been working under a contract that expired June 30th of 2022.
"Akron Public Schools respects and values its teachers and the work they do for children every day. We know that if we keep negotiating, we can reach an agreement in the best interests of Akron educators, students, parents, and our community." - part of a comment from the district's director of communications says.
Shipe says the district refuses to answer simple questions the union has asked... and they are growing more concerned.
"We have had weapons on a regular basis, we have had stabbings in our school, we have violent fights breaking out almost on a daily basis in our school we have teacher assaults occurring," Shipe said.
Now, the union has laid it out on the table, 10 days to negotiate, or we strike.
"APS is prepared to stay at the table day in and day out to resolve this situation and keep children learning. We hope the Akron Education Association shares this commitment with us." part of a comment from the district's director of communications says.
Shipe says the last thing they want is a strike, because no one wins in that scenario, but believes it's the only option the AEA has left if negotiations don't change.
"20 percent of our teaching positions are going unfilled and they're being filled with either nobody, or unqualified people in many cases," Shipe said.