'We work just as hard': Everett paraeducators rally for fair wages

EVERETT — Paraeducators, wearing the purple and blue colors of their unions, lined the perimeter of the Everett Public Schools offices Tuesday to call for livable wages.

Dozens of workers — paraprofessionals, nutritionists, IT workers and facilities staff — rallied before Tuesday’s school board meeting, saying their income isn’t enough to make ends meet.

Paraprofessionals’ wages in the state average below $30,000 annually, below what the state considers “low-income,” according to a study by the American Institutes for Research.

The district’s uncertified employees, many of them represented by Public School Employees of Washington SEIU Local 1948 and SEIU Local 925, have been in contract negotiations for about six months.

https://www.heraldnet.com/news/we-work-just-as-hard-everett-paraeducators-rally-for-fair-wages/