Classified staff in Evergreen Public Schools concluded a 12-day strike, accepting a new contract that, despite their efforts, leaves them struggling with low wages. The article details the significant disparity between the workers’ demands for a living wage and the final agreement.
The core issue driving the strike was the poverty-level wages earned by many classified staff, including paraeducators, custodians, and food service workers. These workers play critical roles in supporting student learning and maintaining school operations, yet many qualify for public assistance due to their low pay. The union, representing these workers, sought substantial wage increases to address this issue.
However, the final contract failed to deliver the necessary improvements. While it includes some wage increases, they are insufficient to lift the majority of classified staff out of poverty. The agreement was reached under pressure from the school district and amidst concerns about the financial strain the strike was placing on families.
The resolution of the strike highlights the ongoing challenges faced by low-wage workers in the public sector, and the difficulty of achieving meaningful wage gains through collective bargaining.
find the original article here: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/09/19/xggj-s19.html