Teachers' Strike Day 1: Picket Lines in Strongsville

Lines of sign-carrying union members picketed in front of Strongsville schools this morning, the first day of a teachers' strike.

Teachers at Strongsville High School walked back and forth across the entrance and exit driveways, some yelling "We love you, kids" as buses pulled in. 

Police Chief James Kobak said about 7 a.m. that no incidents had been reported, other than school driveways being blocked by strikers.

Officers at the high school parted the strikers as traffic got heavier around 7, directing them to stand on either side of the driveway, but not to walk back and forth.

At Center Middle School, strikers were more vocal, chanting and blowing whistles as Pearl Road traffic went by.

The 383-member Strongsville Education Association, the union representing teachers, voted to strike Sunday night, a day after contract talks broke down. 

Sticking points in the negotiations include step pay increases for teachers. The SEA's proposal seeks to erase concessions teachers gave in the last contract and award teachers an additional step increase this year to make up for a one-year freeze in steps. 

The Board of Education's proposal seeks to eliminate step increases for the length of the two-year contract.

Superintendent John Krupinski said the SEA "is trying to get everything back that they gave up" and that the district cannot afford the salary hikes.

The last teachers' contract expired in July.

On Sunday, a large group of SEA members hassled substitute teachers as they went to the police station to apply for temporary jobs here.