TACOMA, Wash., Sept. 15 (UPI) -- Officials closed schools Thursday in Tacoma, Wash., as a teachers' strike entered its third day.
A judge ruled the strike illegal Wednesday and ordered teachers back to work, The News-Tribune of Tacoma reported. But teachers on picket lines Thursday morning said they intended to stay out, although a few colleagues named specifically in the court order would return to work.
The school district on Thursday originally said students would start the day two hours late while teachers were told to show up at their usual start time. Officials then announced the schools would be closed.
Dan Voelpel, a district spokesman, said copies of Judge Bryan Chushcoff's order were sent to all staff members Wednesday.
"This is between TEA members and the judge," Voelpel said, referring to the Tacoma Education Association, the teachers' union.
Richelle Cross, an elementary school teacher, said that she had not paid much attention to the union during most of her 26 years in the classroom. But she said she is upset with the district's negotiating stance on teacher reassignments and plans to keep walking the picket line.
