Portland teachers to strike starting Nov. 1

After months of bargaining, the Portland Association of Teachers has given official notice that it will go on strike beginning Wednesday, Nov. 1, in what would be the first-ever teachers strike in the district.

The teachers union notified Portland Public Schools Thursday that it intends to strike after association members voted this week to authorize it. The district sent out an announcement to families and a statement to the press late Thursday evening about the vote.

The union sent a letter to educators Thursday night, reporting that 93% of PAT members participated in the vote and 98.9% voted to authorize a strike.