The Evergreen Public Schools Board of Directors has unanimously approved a resolution that would allow the district to pursue legal action against union workers currently on strike. The vote occurred on Friday.

According to the district, this resolution authorizes them to file an injunction with the Clark County Superior Court. The aim is to compel the union to cease its strike, which the district has deemed “unlawful.”

This decision follows a vote by Evergreen PSE union members on Thursday to reject what the district called its “final offer.”

The strike,involving nearly 1,400 paraeducators,bus drivers,maintenance staff,and other district employees,began on August 26 and has now delayed the start of the school year for Evergreen Public Schools by more than a week.

The district anticipates announcing a decision regarding classes for Monday by approximately 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Negotiations between the district and the union are scheduled to continue on Saturday.

after the board’s vote on Friday afternoon, FOX 12 received the following statement from the union:

“This resolution doesn’t change a thing: our members are still on strike, and we remain committed to bargaining in good faith until we win a contract that provides stability for students and dignity for staff,” said Mindy Troffer-Cooper, Evergreen PSE chapter President. “Legal maneuvers won’t build stronger schools, bargaining in good faith will. We urge the District to stop wasting time on threats and start addressing the core issues that keep Evergreen students from having the stable, supportive schools they deserve.”

Evergreen PSE emphasizes that legal threats and injunctions will not resolve the issues at the heart of the strike. Throughout labor history, courts and boards have attempted to silence workers with injunctions, but solidarity has always carried workers forward. From public school strikes in the 1970s to health care and grocery worker strikes today, the lesson is clear: when workers stand together, they win strong contracts that benefit entire communities.

“Our fight is not against students or families, its for them,” Troffer-Cooper continued.”Every time turnover pushes a paraeducator or bus driver out of the district, students lose the consistent relationships and care they depend on. Livable wages and fair working conditions mean we can attract and retain the staff our kids deserve. We are paraeducators, bus drivers, mechanics, maintenance staff, pro techs, security, and service workers. We don’t take this action lightly, but Evergreen students deserve schools that are safe, stable, and fully staffed. That means ensuring the employees who make schools run can afford to stay.”

Impact of Teacher Strikes

“This resolution doesn’t change a thing: our members are still on strike… bargaining in good faith will.”

The potential legal action adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing labor dispute, leaving parents and students uncertain about the immediate future of the school year.