Labor conflicts between different employee groups at Evergreen and La Center school districts are keeping students at home and workers on picket lines this week. A strike vote scheduled for this Thursday could add Vancouver to the list of school districts trying to settle contracts as September school days disappear.

Evergreen

The Evergreen Public Schools were scheduled to open on Aug. 26, but without a contract in place, school administrators delayed the start for a week. With administrators continuing to bargain with the Evergreen Chapter of the Public School Employees of Washington SEIU Local 1948, schools remain closed in one of Southwest Washington’s largest districts.

The district: Evergreen has 38 schools across east Vancouver, where roughly 21,900 students were enrolled in the 2024-25 school year.

The union: The Evergreen union represents about 1,400 employees across a range of jobs, including paraeducators, bus drivers, campus security, maintenance staff and mechanics.

The debate: Compensation is a key sticking point. OPB reported that last week, the union rejected what the district said was its “final offer.” The district has proposed pay increases ranging from 9%-12.5% over three years. The union has been seeking pay increases ranging from 9.5% for mechanics to 15% for paraeducators across their contract. The district says it’s facing a $26 million shortfall. Union leaders say with low pay, some of their members are forced to seek outside employment to pay the bills.

Status: Evergreen schools are closed “during the work stoppage” through at least Tues. Sept. 9. The district is providing free breakfast and lunch to students at Heritage and Mountain View high schools at specific times. A district contractor, Right At School, is providing child care at nine elementary school sites. Middle and high school sports continue, but without transportation provided.

Recent news: Late last week, the Evergreen school board voted to compel staff back to work as a “last resort,” in the words of the board president. The resolution empowers district staff to “take all lawful steps necessary to terminate the strike, including injunctive relief, monetary damages, or other appropriate remedies.”

Next steps: EPS officials say the two sides met for bargaining on Sunday, Sept. 7, Monday, Sept. 8 and administrators are available to meet on Tuesday, Sept. 9.

La Center

The La Center School District started school Aug. 27, only to cancel classes a week later when the La Center Education Association went on strike (Sept. 3). District administrators say schools will remain closed through Sept. 10, and possibly longer, depending on negotiations this week.

The district: The La Center School District has four schools, which enrolled more than 1,800 students last school year.

The union: The La Center Education Association represents 105 educators, according to KGW.

The debate: Compensation is a sticking point. According to an FAQ posted by LCSD, the district and union proposals for a four-year contract appear relatively close: The district has offered a 9.2% increase, while the union favors a 9.9% increase. The district’s FAQ suggests the difference is significant because it would add to an “unfunded salary gap” at a time when the district is relying on low fund balances. The teachers union, in an FAQ shared on its Facebook page, says it is pushing for the state’s “recommended amount,” at a cost of roughly $24,000 across 115 staff members. The union acknowledges that pay level would not be covered entirely by state funding, but it argues that “there are other revenue sources for this amount.”

Status: La Center schools are closed through Sept. 10.

Next steps: Negotiations continue. If no agreement is reached by Tuesday night, Sept.9, district administrators say schools will close for the rest of this week.

Vancouver

The union representing classified employees in Vancouver Public Schools could be the next district in Southwest Washington to be disrupted by a strike. The Vancouver Association of Education Support Professionals has set a strike vote for Sept. 11, if the union is unable to reach a contract agreement with administrators before then.

The district: Vancouver Public Schools is almost identical in size to Evergreen, with enrollment last year of just over 21,900 students at 43 schools and programs.

The union: The Vancouver Association of Education Support Professionals, or VAESP, represents about 600 district employees, filling such jobs as paraeducators, administrative and technical support, and other positions.

What’s the debate: The Vancouver union’s top priorities include higher wages, better staffing ratios and more paid time off, according to reporting by The Columbian. In a statement emailed to OPB, Vancouver district officials said it has shared a “comprehensive proposal on all remaining issues.” The district spokesperson said with revenues falling short of rising costs, “We are left to somehow balance what staff and students need, and deserve, with the resources available.”

Status: Schools are running normally in Vancouver since they opened this school year on Aug. 26.

Next step: The two sides are in mediated talks with a session planned for Sept. 9, according to KGW. VAESP has scheduled a strike vote for Sept. 11. If union members vote to authorize a strike, it would be up to their bargaining team to set a date for the strike and notify district leadership.

News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2025/09/08/southwest-washington-school-district-labor-strike-evergreen-vancouver-union/