“94% of Columbus Education Association (CEA) members have voted to reject the (school) board’s last, best and final offer and are striking for the first time since 1975,” the union said in a statement on Twitter. “CEA is committed to negotiating for the safe and welcoming, well-maintained and fully equipped public schools that Columbus students deserve.” Columbus Education Association Notice of Intent to Strike “Tonight’s vote by the Columbus Education Association (CEA) is incredibly disappointing. We are sorry for the unfortunate situation facing our families, our community, and most importantly, our children,” a statement by said board. Columbus City Schools serves 47,000 students, according to the district. Despite the strike, the school year is still scheduled to begin Wednesday, but classes will be online and taught by substitutes, according to the school district’s website. The district says its own administrators can also teach classes online while the strike continues. But since teachers make up the majority of the district’s coaching staff, athletic activities may be rescheduled or canceled, according to the website. The Columbus City Schools strike isn’t the only one happening this week. Just a day before the Ohio vote, a union representing about 2,000 School District of Philadelphia employees voted to strike — just over a week before school starts. The union in Philadelphia, 32BJ SEIU, is calling for higher wages and adequate training programs.
