Albany teacher strike deal falls through overnight, teachers return to picket lines.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Despite reaching a tentative deal Sunday night, the Greater Albany Education Association said striking continues Monday after the deal fell apart.

According to the GAEA, the deal with Greater Albany Public Schools fell apart at 3 a.m. Monday morning after being unable to agree on standard return to work terms.

“We are flabbergasted that after three weeks of strike, bargaining every day but two over Thanksgiving break, and nearly securing a full agreement today over the entirety of the contract except one appendix, this District’s bad faith power plays have now cost us an agreement,” said Dana Lovejoy, an Albany math teacher and President of the Greater Albany Education Association. “The people of our community have waited long enough for GAPS to take action on the deplorable conditions within our schools and act in good faith to get our kids back to class. After repeatedly violating federal labor law throughout the strike, the District’s arrogance and the unending incompetence and anti-teacher vitriol of this School Board will now unnecessarily keep students out of classes even longer.”

Initially, the tentative deal was set to be voted on and ratified Monday morning, however, GAEA says that strike lines will be returning to all 21 schools in the district instead.

The strike, which began nearly three weeks ago, is the first time the teachers have taken to the picket line since 1987.