Timeline
In 1889 - WEA began as a statewide education organization for more than 80 years, membership included teachers and administrators.
In the 1970s, following passage of a collective bargaining law for teachers, WEA evolved into a pro-active teachers union.
MEA
1959 - 1971 Mead Education Association was unified as a professional organization for teachers and administrators.
1961 MEA President, Gene Fink became first WEA President from Eastern Washington and the Mead Education Association.
1969 –1970 - MEA President, Don Griffiths – MEA worked towards collective bargaining contract.
1970 – 1971 – MEA President, Mel Griffith- MSD Levy Failure
1971-72 – MEA President, Gil Gates - In of spring 1972, administrative members pulled out of the MEA. The MDS faced a double Levy failure. Some teachers were RIF’d. An agreement with the school board was reached; teachers would be called back based on seniority. MEA moved from a loose organization to a very strong organization. Past president, Mel Griffith, wrote up the first MEA constitution and bylaws.
1972-73 – MEA President, Conn Wittwer – MEA Members organized informational issue picketing.
1973-74 – MEA President, Mike Warner – The MEA Members went on Strike – On Monday, April 26, 1974, teacher members walked off the job in support of its demands in negotiations for a “master” collective bargaining contract and the right to bargain salary and benefits, curriculum offerings, and staff transfers and more. Picketing began, several bus drivers and custodial personnel, refused to cross the lines as well. Teachers were out for six days, with loss of pay. The MEA President, and others, went to jail in defiance of a “back to work” injunction.
1974-75 – MEA President, Cash Stone – MEA builds relationships; organized a joint Community Action Program with projects towards building relationships and physical improvements in the district and community.
1975-76 – MEA President, Al Toutant – MEA formalize collaborative relationships with the superintendent and school board. Creation of Labor and Management.
1976 -77 – MEA President, Alpha Spence – Contract maintenance
1977-78 – MEA President, Bob Dalton – Contract maintenance
1978-79 – MEA President, Carla Nuxoll – Contract 1985-89, became WEA Vice President. In 1989-92, she second president from Eastern Washington and the Mead Education Association to be elected WEA President. Later, appointed by President Clinton to the White House Committee on Presidential Scholars and for eight years, worked as the Regional Representative in Region X (Alaska, Idaho, Washington and Oregon) for Secretary of Education Richard Riley.
The MEA Motto “Our unity is our strength was developed in 1974 …as current MEA members, we can do no less.