Camas teachers on strike may soon return to classrooms. (Camas Education Association)
About 450 teachers on strike in the Vancouver area will soon return to classrooms after voting to approve a tentative agreement with Camas School District.
As part of the deal, the district agreed to increase teacher wages by 13% over the next two years, reduce class sizes and establish a resource fund for libraries, physical education and music.
“Teachers and students could be back in the classroom as soon as tomorrow, Friday, September 8,” a release from the teachers’ union, Camas Education Association, said.
Teachers voted Thursday afternoon “overwhelmingly” in support of ending the strike, the release said. The proposed contract came late Wednesday night after a marathon negotiation session between the two sides that went for over 12 hours.
The strike, which began Aug. 28 and has lasted seven school days, marked the first time the teachers walked out in the district. The district, with about 7,300 students, is located along the Columbia River in southwest Washington. The strike began the day classes were scheduled to start.
Teachers are still on strike in neighboring Evergreen Public Schools.
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