After already sparring earlier this year over how and when to return to in-person learning, another teachers’ strike against Seattle Public Schools seems imminent as they balk at the district’s requirement that all staff come to work wearing more than underwear from the waist-down.
“Look, you want me to juggle half-day in-person learning and remote learning at the same time to finish up this shitshow of a school year? Sure. My only request: No pants,” said 3rd grade teacher and teachers’ union spokeswoman Sherry Myerson. “You think these students haven’t already seen their substitute teachers, their parents, walking around in underwear for months? Give me a break. Just count yourselves lucky I’m not asking to show up wearing nothing but a tattered robe that hasn’t been washed in eight months.”
While some parents are concerned about the demands for no pants, many more seem to be expressing solidarity for the teachers.
“Whatever it takes to get my kids back out of the house again. I don’t care,” said parent Brian Berg. “I just want to finally be able to work at home at peace in my underwear.”
The Seattle Public School administration and board maintains that asking teachers to return to work fully clothed isn’t much to ask and was actually always the bare minimum teachers had to do before the pandemic.
“Isn’t much to ask?” Myerson said shaking her head incredulously. “Then I guess asking the district to buy me a whole new set of pants I can actually fit it isn’t too much to ask either. If you want to strike a deal, Superintendent, I prefer Eddie Bauer bootcuts or Fabletics.”
