PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Tuesday was meant to be the first day back at school for students in the Evergreen School District, but instead, much of their schools’ staff are on the picket line.

The Evergreen Chapter of Public School Employees of Washington SEIU Local 1948 (PSE) — a union made up of paraeducators, bus drivers, security officers and maintenance workers — voted to go on strike after months of failed negotiations with district leaders.

In response, district administrators decided to postpone their school start date to Sept. 2.

The union represents 1,400 specialized support staff, but does not include teachers. However, teachers with the Evergreen Educators Association said they would support their efforts by not crossing the picket line.

According to PSE, its workers have foug

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