Mount Vernon paraeducators reach agreement after 2-day strike, delayed classes

Mount Vernon paraeducators have come to an agreement with the school district after a two-day strike.

The Public School Employees of Washington labor union announced the new contract in a Facebook post Thursday evening. The union was able to almost double its original offer, receiving a 5.2% raise for all paraeducators.

Paraeducators can fill several roles including individual support with students, general classroom support, helping implement special education, assisting small groups of students with lessons, monitoring lunch hours and recess and helping students with special needs, according to the Lake Washington Institute of Technology.

“I want to thank all of the parents, teachers, other union members, and the Mt. Vernon community for showing up to our pickets over the last two days,” Mt. Vernon Union Chapter President Freedom Gassoway said via the post.

The first day back from summer break was supposed to be August 28 but classes were stalled as the two parties worked to find a middle ground. Union members took to the picket lines on Wednesday and then again on Thursday. Classes were subsequently cancelled on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

“The PSE Mt. Vernon Paraeducators are back on the picket line today continuing to fight for a fair contract and livable wages!” Public School Employees of Washington stated in a Facebook post on Thursday. “Our schools cannot run without paraeducators, and they deserve pay that reflects the importance of the work they do for the students every day.”

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On Wednesday, Superintendent Dr. Victor Vergara said, in a letter to families, that both sides remained committed to working out a deal.

“As we navigate through the first day of the strike involving the PSE 1 Union Group, I want to express my concern for the impact this situation is having on our students, families and staff,” Vergara wrote. “Our top priority is to get our students back into school as quickly as possible, and we are working diligently to achieve this. This situation requires cooperation and collaboration between both parties. Our goal is to reach an agreement that not only benefits the members of the union but also ensures the financial wellbeing of our district.”

Vergara added that the school district was working with a mediator.

“Both sides are committed to coming to the table with the intent of finding a solution that serves the best interests of our students, staff and community,” she continued.

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This story was originally published on August 28 at 5:30 p.m. It has been updated and republished since then.

Contributing: Sam Campbell, KIRO Newsradio

Julia Dallas is a content editor at MyNorthwest. You can read her stories here. Follow Julia on X here and email her here.