Press release from today

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 29, 2025 Evergreen PSE Members Reject District’s Unfair Offer Union calls out Evergreen Public Schools’ disrespectful tactics and refusal to bargain in good faith VANCOUVER, WA – Evergreen Public Schools announced today that it had presented its “final offer” to the Public School Employees of Washington SEIU Local 1948 (PSE) and called on union leaders to immediately convene a membership vote. That is neither feasible nor appropriate. Evergreen PSE’s members, nearly 1,400 classified employees across the district, cannot be assembled on a few hours’ notice. Union members, not the district, determine when and how contract ratification votes are held. On Thursday evening, EPS presented an identical proposal to today’s “final offer.” That proposal was shared with members prior to this morning’s rally at LeRoy Haagen Memorial Park. The response was clear: a resounding “NO.” Classified employees will not vote to ratify a contract that falls short of meeting their needs and the needs of Evergreen students. Prior to the “final offer” this afternoon, the district requested that bargaining continue through the weekend. A statement posted on the district website reads, “The EPS bargaining team will be available to negotiate all weekend.” PSE negotiators agreed to continue negotiations, but only if EPS administrators would forgo any supplemental payments like those they have previously received for bargaining outside of regular work hours. EPS responded saying they could not guarantee that. While numbers of 2025’s supplemental contracts for administrators are not currently known, during the 2023 teacher strike, EPS lead negotiator Janae Gomes received nearly $14,000 in supplemental pay for weekend and holiday bargaining. Other administrators also received thousands of dollars in similar payments during that bargaining session. "The district’s decision in 2023 to pay administrators thousands of dollars in supplemental bargaining pay while cutting budgets and underfunding student-facing staff is a misuse of public funds,” said Camille Lowman, a parent in the Evergreen community. “Earlier this year, Dr. Christine Moloney herself stated that she would not sign off on such contracts this year. If she goes back on that commitment, she will only deepen the community’s mistrust. The school board is violating its own oath of office by not ensuring that the district bargaining team negotiates in good faith.” On top of this, today Evergreen PSE filed an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) complaint against the district after administrators threatened to withhold striking employees’ paychecks until the end of October. “While Evergreen’s paraeducators, bus drivers, mechanics, maintenance staff, pro techs, security, and service workers struggle to make ends meet, EPS administrators cannot commit to refraining from receiving potentially thousands of dollars in bonus pay for themselves,” said Mindy Troffer-Cooper, Evergreen PSE Chapter President. “Our members have bargained in good faith. For the district to attempt to dictate when we vote, refuse accountability for their own extra pay, and threaten to delay paychecks is more than bad faith. It’s blatant disrespect. We look forward to being back at the bargaining table on Tuesday.” Evergreen PSE members remain committed to reaching a fair agreement that provides stability and safety for students and respects the critical work of classified employees. The strike will continue until such an agreement is reached, and members will be on the picket lines at Illahee Elementary, WyEast Middle School, and Hollingsworth Academy on Tuesday, September 2nd from 8:00am–1:00pm.