Members of the Sheridan Educators Association began a strike across the Sheridan School District in the south Denver metro area on Apr. 1. The strike follows an early March vote in which 98% of SEA members authorized the action after working without a contract since last August. The educators are calling for district leadership to reinstate their expired contract, recognize their union as a bargaining unit, and reverse policies they say are harmful to long-term student stability.
The situation developed after months of unsuccessful negotiations between SEA and district officials. According to the association, the school district has refused to renew a collective bargaining agreement that had been in place for over fifty years. SEA represents more than 160 educators, including both teachers and classified staff.
“Our union is all of us, and we’re showing that power now,” said Kate Biester, president of Sheridan Educator Association and social studies teacher. “Every one of us that works in this district, classified and certified staff, works to keep our schools running and kids taken care of. Not one of us wanted to get to this point, but the district’s actions have given us no other choice. We will not quit until the district meets our demands; we teach our students to stand up to bullies and now is the time to show them what that means.”
Kevin Vick, president of Colorado Education Association (CEA) and a high school social studies teacher with 24 years’ experience, also commented on behalf of CEA: “Sheridan educators are continually being asked by their district to do more and more with less and less. Enough is enough,” Vick said. “CEA is proud to stand in solidarity with Sheridan as they go on strike for fair treatment for all educators: full recognition, a reinstated contract, and an end to the anti-union retaliation from the district.”
