Denver teachers back at work after winning deal with raises

DENVER (AP) — Denver teachers ended a three-day walkout and returned to their classrooms today, greeted by hugs and high-fives, after their union reached a tentative deal raising their pay as much as 11 percent, the latest win in a national movement by educators to raise their wages and advocate for changes in schools.

The deal was worked out in talks that lasted through the night and signed shortly before classes started. Teachers were encouraged to return to their classrooms, even though the deal awaits ratification by the union membership.

Susan McHugh said she was prepared to return to her government and politics class with a lesson plan based on her experience – a discussion about the labor movement and the power of collective bargaining.

"This is just a really good example of what can happen when people join forces together," she said.

More than half district's 4,725 teachers went on strike Monday after negotiations over pay broke down. The walkout came about a year after West Virginia teachers launched the national "Red4Ed" movement with a nine-day strike in which they won 5 percent pay raises.

There have since been walkouts in Washington state, Arizona, Kentucky and Oklahoma. Most recently, Los Angeles teachers staged a six-day strike last month. That walkout ended when teachers settled on a 6 percent raise and promises of smaller class sizes and the addition of more nurses and counselors.

Teachers in Oakland recently voted to authorize a strike that could come as soon as next week if they can't reach a deal.