I just got off the phone with Seattle teacher's union vice president Jonathan Knapp, who said that thousands* have gathered at the rally to protest state budget cuts to education and healthcare in Olympia today.

"The federal rotunda is pretty much full," Knapp said. "We want to make sure Washington gets the message. Every union you can think of is here—teachers, machinists, carpenters. People are still streaming in. It's loud and raucous, but we are making a powerful statement."

Knapp said that the coalition from Seattle reached Olympia around 11 a.m. and plan to be there until 2 p.m. "They are cutting K-12 and higher education, it's unacceptable," he said. "Working people didn't cause this financial crisis. We need to stand up for education and healthcare. We shouldn't be laying off teachers and healthcare workers."

Although the Seattle Public Schools has not yet decided how many teachers are going to be laid off, preparations have already started to clear the way for sending potential layoff notices. Every year, some teachers receive pink slips and then they are brought back when jobs open up again, Knapp said. "Each of the last two years, reduction in force has been covered by attrition when people retire or leave the district," he said. At lest 200 teachers leave the district every year on their own accord, Knapp said, out of a total 0f 5,000 union members.

SPS expects teacher layoffs to be minimal this year. Knapp expects the district will go ahead and plan their own budget because it looks unlikely that Olympia will have a budget before June. The district needs to send layoff notices to certificated teachers by May 15 per state law.

*Knapp estimated the number to be 8,000, but could not confirm it.