The Board’s resolution authorizes EPS to file an injunction asking the Clark County Superior Court to compel the union to end its strike, which is illegal under Washington state law
On Friday (Sept. 5), the Board of Directors of Evergreen Public Schools (EPS) unanimously approved a resolution that allows the district to take legal action to end the ongoing strike by the PSE Large Group classified union.
The Board’s resolution authorizes EPS to file an injunction asking the Clark County Superior Court to compel the union to end its strike, which is illegal under Washington state law.
EPS is asking that union members return to work, allowing the district to start classes for its 22,000 students, while continuing to negotiate on a contract. PSE Large Group members are allowed to work for up to one year under their previous contract after it expires.
EPS canceled classes Friday, marking the eighth day the district has closed school because of the union’s decision to strike.
No decision yet on Monday’s school status
The following message was sent to families and staff of Evergreen Public Schools Friday afternoon:
Dear EPS Community,
The EPS and PSE Large Group’s bargaining teams met in mediation today. The bargaining teams are scheduled to bargain tomorrow at 9 a.m.
As of Friday afternoon, no decision has been made about school on Monday. We will inform you by Sunday around 4 p.m. if schools will be open on Monday.
Football: Tonight’s games at McKenzie Stadium will be played as scheduled. In a change from previous years, all ticket sales will be cashless, aligning with Washington Interscholastic Activities Association practice. Tickets can be purchased with a credit or debit card onsite or at the following GoFan links:
Reminder: Any student below high school grades who wants to attend a game at McKenzie Stadium must be accompanied by an adult.
Child Care: If the strike continues into next week, Right at School, the district’s new child care provider, is preparing to open Family Care Camps at nine of our elementary schools starting Monday. The camps, for elementary age students, would operate from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. each school day for the duration of the strike. For sites, costs and other information, click here.
Also, the Clark County Family YMCA is offering a camp for EPS students during the strike from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Get more information and register here.
Registration: Available for new students online.
The district is committed to continuing to bargain with the PSE Large Group to reach an agreement that is fair to both sides and is affordable and sustainable under our current budget conditions. For updated information on bargaining you can visit the Bargaining webpage.
We will continue to share updates throughout the weekend if new information is available. We look forward to getting the school year started and having students back in our schools.
Information provided by the Evergreen School District.
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I can appreciate the teachers wanting to use leverage to make the district meet their demands. However, I am getting very tired of people simply ignoring the laws because they know there will be no consequences.
When you go into the teaching profession, you are fully aware that it is illegal to strike. For good reason. Teachers hold a unique position in society, not just as educators, but as public servants entrusted with the care and development of our children. When they choose to strike in defiance of state law, they risk undermining the very trust that makes public education possible. Respecting legal limits is not just about compliance it’s about modeling civic responsibility for the very students they teach.
Strikes can cause significant harm to students, especially those in vulnerable communities. Research shows that teacher strikes have disrupted the education of over 12 million students in the U.S.,
Teaching is a calling rooted in service. When educators break the law to strike, they risk politicizing the classroom and alienating the communities they serve. Legal avenues for negotiation, such as mediation, arbitration, and legislative advocacy exist precisely to protect both teachers and students. Using these channels reinforces the professionalism and moral authority of educators, rather than diminishing it through unlawful action.
By obeying strike bans, educators can build coalitions, engage voters, and influence policy without compromising their credibility or the continuity of education.
Teachers are not on strike. These are support staff, SEIU Members, like bus drivers and janitors. Its still an illegal strike, but there are no consequences for striking against the law.
Not legally protected is not the same as illegal. That is why the court can determine that the public interest is served by compelling the union to return to work. The strike is not illegal, just not legally protected. In comparison, RCW 47.64.140 expressly makes it illegal for ferry system employees to strike; RCW 28B.52.078 prohibits strikes by community college faculty; and RCW 41.76.065 prohibits strikes by four-year college faculty. RCW 41.56.041 clarifies that the statutory chapter does not create the right to strike, but it does not make it illegal. If the Legislature wanted to, they could have done so, as was done in the other statutes. The strike is not illegal.
I want my children to return to school as much as anyone. However, they are observing how the district treats public servants who work for their benefit. They certainly remember how poorly their teachers were treated recently. Standing up to bullies is an important lesson with lifelong benefits.
Teachers are not on strike.
Isn’t this called “union busting” ? I thought that was illegal. Or am I not understanding something?
This seems pretty clear to me….The law—RCW 41.56.120 — reads: “Right to strike not granted. Nothing contained in this chapter [on union collective bargaining] shall permit or grant any public employee the right to strike or refuse to perform his or her official duties.”
Teachers are on strike if they are honoring the other union members striking. That is pretty clear as well. The Teachers need to cross that picket line and go back to work.
Now the problem rests with can they be effective….maybe not. With the buses, maintenance, and everyone else on strike and not reporting to work then NO the teachers cannot be effective. But, by them reporting to the classroom and ‘clocking in’ they are not in contempt. The Union Bosses should figure this angle out because it would weaken the school districts position.
Giving that the teachers are not reporting to the classroom…..they are on strike. Fire them ALL….everyone. They are breaking the law hire new teachers under the last proposed contract. Pay everyone who reports under that scenario and begin new…..without the unions. Simple as that…..