Seattle teachers voted overwhelmingly Wednesday night to authorize a strike, raising the prospect of a delayed start to the 2026-27 school year for nearly 50,000 students in Washington's largest district.

The Seattle Education Association, which represents about 6,000 teachers, paraprofessionals, counselors and other staff, tallied a 91.2 percent vote in favor of strike authorization during a four-hour meeting at the Seattle Convention Center. The action came after months of negotiations with Seattle Public Schools that have produced tentative agreements on only seven of more than 50 outstanding contract items.

The current contract expires Aug. 31. Bargaining teams from both sides have said they will continue talks around the clock, including potentially on Sept. 1. A deal reached by the end of the day Tuesday would avert a strike that could otherwise begin the following day when classes are scheduled to start.

Union leaders cited special education supports, pay raises and reduced workload pressures as the main unresolved issues. The district faces an $87 million budget deficit. The union has proposed modest increases of 1.5 percent this year, 2 percent next year and 2.5 percent in 2028-29.

"We don't want to strike, but unless the district starts prioritizing student learning and supports, the district is giving us no choice," SEA President Ibijoke Idowu said.

Seattle teachers last struck in September 2022, delaying the school opening by five days. The union has emphasized that the authorization vote does not mean a strike is certain and that negotiations remain the priority.

District officials have stressed the need to balance student needs with fiscal responsibility. Both sides reported holding 24 bargaining sessions so far.

The outcome of continued talks will determine whether students return to class on time next week.