The union said on its website that it made a new proposal on the main issue in the strike, teacher assignment policies. The district wants to consider other factors in addition to seniority in moving some teachers.

"We thought we were close to a settlement, they walked out the door," said Rich Wood, a spokesman for the Washington Education Association, which is the parent organization of the Tacoma Education Association (the teacher's union). "That was really too bad, because we thought we could have gotten it done last night."

No talks were scheduled for Wednesday until the governor intervened.

“There is no question that the Tacoma teacher strike has continued for far too long – disrupting the lives of families and the 28,000 students who need to be in school. I directed, and both sides have agreed to return to the bargaining table this morning. If no deal is reached by 3 p.m. this afternoon, both the district and the union will report to my office and stay until their differences are reconciled and the school doors reopen,” Gregoire said in a statement issued Wednesday morning.

Governor Doesn't Have Authority To Intervene

Both sides say that while the governor has no real authority to intervene, they are respecting her request to bring the two parties together.

"She requested that both parties be there and we would welcome the governor's involvement," Tacoma schools spokesman Dan Voelpel said.

This isn't the first time a governor has gotten involved in a strike. Then-Gov. Gary Locke worked to end a teachers strike in Marysville during a record work-stoppage in 2003, with little effect.

Teachers Say They're Ready To Return

Nevertheless, striking teachers in Tacoma seem encouraged by Gregoire's move to end the walkout.

"I think it's good; I think we need to get this settled," said Pat Dowling, a striking teacher. "I want to go back to school. I want to teach my kids."

"I think whoever can help speed up the negotiations and come to a fair, quick agreement would be great," said Debbie Shapiro, another striking teacher. "We want to be back in the classrooms."

Strike Continues

Meanwhile, teachers continue to picket and schools remain closed because of lack of staff.

The district is the third-largest in the state, after Seattle and Spokane. Tacoma has about 1,900 teachers and 28,000 students.