YOUNGSTOWN — Teachers in the Youngstown City School District remain on strike after two weeks, and now local Democratic leaders are throwing their support behind the union.

The Mahoning County Democratic Party and state Rep. Lauren McNally, D-Youngstown, will partner with the Ohio Education Association for a “show of support” for members of the Youngstown Education Association, the body that represents Youngstown’s public school teachers.

The event is 5 to 8 p.m. today at Westside Bowl, 2617 Mahoning Ave. The $20 per person entry fee includes pizza and drinks. Children will be admitted free. All proceeds will go to the Youngstown Teachers Strike Fund.

“The strike is hurting our kids, families and teachers, while also undermining our public school system,” McNally said in a news release. “I’m happy to help host an event to show solidarity with everyone being affected by this.”

The YEA has been on strike since Aug. 23, when the school year was scheduled to begin. At issue, the union says, are the contract language relating to teacher promotions and transfers, plus the authority of Superintendent Jeremy Batchelor.

PAYCHECKS AND

HEALTH CARE

Teachers received their final paycheck under the previous contract Aug. 25.

History teacher Joe Bertin said during that first week of the strike teachers were bracing for the financial sacrifices.

“I had to tell my wife and son let’s not make any doctor appointments,” he said. “My wife has a good job, so we’ll survive, but (for) some people, it’s going to hit really hard. Some of these younger teachers will be trying to make ends meet other ways.”

Bertin said many of the union’s members are new teachers and have not worked long enough to pay anything into the union’s health care plan. They also may not qualify for interest-free loans the OEA makes available to contracted teachers with more experience.

“The decision to go on strike is never taken lightly, and it creates a significant burden for those involved,” Chris Anderson, Mahoning County Democratic Party chairman, said. “We know our teachers want to be back in the classrooms, but they deserve a partner at the bargaining table in order to do that. In the meantime, we stand in lock step with our teachers.”

The union and school district continue to negotiate, though the sides have been trading blows in the media over the past week.

YEA spokesperson Jim Courim has accused the school board of stalling and not offering “any proposal whatsoever.” The district has countered, calling Courim’s accusations unfair and inaccurate.