SEATTLE – It’s no secret that teachers unions employ a number of questionable tactics in order to get what they want during contract negotiations.

One of those tactics is waiting until the end of summer vacation to get serious about negotiations.

In Washington State, the union game plan is being followed to the tee.

MORE NEWS: Know These Before Moving From Cyprus To The UK

As reported by the David Boze Show, the Seattle school board and teachers union are still negotiating contract terms a week before school is set to begin, and the South Kitsap teachers union recently approved a strike.

Boze, the KTTH radio show host, asked the question that everyone was wondering: “Why is it that the school districts always decide to negotiate with the teachers unions right before school is going to start?”

When that happens, there’s tremendous pressure from parents and communities for the two sides to come to an agreement.

Boze explained how that pressure gives teachers the advantage.

“The teachers union can sit back and say ‘Hey the closer we get to the deadline, the more leverage we have.’”

Boze also questioned why the negotiations couldn’t have been completed earlier in the summer.

MORE NEWS: How to prepare for face-to-face classes

“Surely, nobody is too busy at the beginning of summer. Why can’t we have all the negotiations then? Get them all done ahead of time. Then there wouldn’t be all this mystery for parents, trying to figure out if they need a babysitter, or if they will be able to go to work.”

The answer is simple:  Such a sensible approach would ruin the union game plan.