Strike ends in Vancouver; Evergreen educators ratify deal

UPDATE (Sept. 11, 2023, 9:30 a.m.) — Members of the Evergreen Education Association gathered at Evergreen High School on Monday morning (Sept. 11) and voted to ratify a new collective bargaining agreement.

Highlights include:

1. An agreement to hire up to 10 certificated special-education Student Support Teachers this school year and up to 12 in the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years.
2. Collaboration time for K-8 special-education and general-education teachers to support students not yet meeting learning goals.
3. Cost-of-living increases of 6.6% in the first year and 5.8% in the second year. In the third year, increases would be based on Seattle CPI, with a minimum of 4.65% and a maximum of 5.05%.

With the agreement ratified, union members headed to classrooms to start the first day of school on a two-hour delay.

The following is from the Evergreen Education Association.

VANCOUVER, Wash. (Sept. 11, 2023) — After bargaining all weekend, the Evergreen Education Association and Evergreen Public Schools reached a tentative agreement on a new contract at 6:37 p.m. Sunday. No picket lines will be in front of schools Monday.

Members will gather at 8 a.m. Monday, Sept. 11, at Evergreen High School to vote on ratification of the new agreement. If the agreement is approved, classes begin after a two-hour delay on Monday.

EPS officials and educators in the EEA have been bargaining to reach a new contract for this school year since March 21. They have been on strike since Wednesday, Aug. 30, the scheduled first day of school.

Evergreen educators’ key issues have been:

• More supports for students with special needs
• Time for educators to plan and consult, which is frequently lost because of the shortage of substitute teachers
• Adequate staffing to support a safe, academic learning environment for all students
• Promised cost-of-living adjustment to help attract and retain enough educators

Evergreen Education Association is made up of 1,500 classroom teachers in the Evergreen Public Schools. Evergreen EA is affiliated with the statewide Washington Education Association and the National Education Association, both of which represent K-12 teachers, support staff and higher-education employees.