WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) sent a letter last week asking the Louisville Board of Education and the Louisville Education Association to return to the bargaining table in order to resolve disputes that led to the recent teacher strike. Brown, citing the best interest of the students, pushed for a speedy resolution of contract disputes that have left Louisville teachers without a contract since before the start of the 2016-2017 school year.

“While I know that the Louisville Board of Education and the teachers are locked in tough negotiations that resulted in the strike of your teachers, I also know that both the teachers and other educational professionals and the members of the Board of Education care about the children of your community,” said Brown. “With this in mind, I ask both parties to quickly get back to the bargaining table to resolve outstanding differences.”

A copy of the letter is included below:

                                                                              

Dear Mr. Antonacci and Mr. Swope,

While I know that the Louisville Board of Education and the teachers are locked in tough negotiations that resulted in a strike of your teachers, I also know that both the teachers and other educational professionals and the members of the Board of Education care about the children of your community.  With this in mind, I ask both parties to quickly get back to the bargaining table to resolve outstanding differences.

As a U.S. Senator, I’ve spoken with members of boards of education, teachers, and parents who have experienced strikes at schools.  There is no doubt that the educational experiences of the students suffer, even in short work stoppages.  I understand that the Louisville educational professionals have been working without a contract since before the start of this school year.  I urge you to return to the table and continue negotiating until a new contract is reached that can be ratified by both parties.

This January, I visited Louisville to stand with the Steelworkers who were locked out and on the picket line for over seven months.  I witnessed many residents in your beautiful city show their support for the workers and their families. Last year, during the Construction Day Celebration, my staff marched with the locked out workers and representatives from the Louisville Chamber of Commerce and shared with me the incredible support those workers felt by the citizens of Louisville. I hope you consider the community support for working people and their families when settling this contract with the utmost urgency.

Sincerely,

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