Tentative deal reached to end Albany teachers strike

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- A tentative agreement to end the teachers strike in the Greater Albany School District was reached Sunday night.

An email release from the district said the Greater Albany Education Association will work with its members to vote on ratifying the contract Monday. If the teachers ratify, the deal will be sent to the school board for final acceptance and their signatures.

Schools will remain closed in Albany on Monday.

Communications Director Becca Mallery said both groups "are working out details for what is called the Strike Settlement Agreement. This is the document that explains the essential details of returning back to work including potential makeup days and how/when staff and students will return."

Earlier Sunday, Mallery said once the agreement is ratified, "students will return on a 2-hour late start the following day. The start date will be announced as soon as it is set but we hope to have students and staff in schools on Tuesday, December 3."

Final plans and contract details have not been announced.

The teachers in the district remain on strike nearly three weeks after taking to the picket lines for the first time since 1987.

This past Monday, the district announced plans to no longer cover the teachers’ health insurance starting on December 1. According to the district, these insurance benefits are only available for active employees and ending coverage for non-working employees is a “standard requirement.”

KOIN 6 News will continue to follow this story.