Classified employees with Vancouver Public Schools say they will vote to authorize a strike Sept. 8 if a new contract agreement cannot be reached with the district before then.

Dozens of paraeducators, clerks, secretaries and other classified staff rallied Thursday afternoon outside Vancouver Public Schools’ district office as contract talks with the district continue. The union’s contract with the district expires Sunday.

The Vancouver Association of Educational Support Professionals — which represents about 600 workers including paraeducators, clerks, secretaries, aquatic coordinators and technical support staff — organized the rally. It began just 30 minutes before a scheduled bargaining session with the district.

“Who’s got the power? We got the power! What kind of power? Union powe

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