Agreement prevents scheduled strike; schools will operate as usual Fri., Jan. 25
VANCOUVER — Vancouver Public Schools (VPS) and the Vancouver Association of Educational Support Professionals (VAESP) reached a new tentative agreement on a contract for secretaries, clerks and paraprofessionals.
The agreement was reached just after midnight Friday after representatives for both sides spent a full day Thursday in mediation with state officials.
The agreement also averts a strike of the more than 700 members of the VAESP union. VPS officials had vowed to seek an injunction to block the strike. A statement from VPS announced that schools will operate as usual on Fri., Jan. 25.
Details of the settlement will be released after VAESP holds a ratification vote.
“I am grateful to the bargaining teams for continuing to work together to finalize this agreement and keep our students in school,” said VPS Superintendent Steve Webb. “I appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as we concluded these difficult negotiations.”
