Teachers in Battle Ground voted Friday night to remain on strike, despite a judge ordering them to return to work.

The vote was 89 percent in favor of remaining on strike, according to the

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Battle Ground Education Association.





Related: Teachers From 8 SW Washington Districts Approve Deals To End Strikes

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"We want to keep the best educators in Battle Ground. And we know in order to do that we have to have a fair contract and a competitive salary," fourth grade teacher and BGEA vice president Marina Heinz told OPB after the vote. "We also recognize that has to take place at the bargaining table."

Heinz said the union's negotiating team met with the district through the night until 4 a.m. Saturday. They plan to take a short break before returning to the bargaining table later today.

A Washington judge signed an injunction Friday morning ordering Battle Ground teachers back to class after a nearly three-week-long strike. A school district attorney says the strike is causing irreparable harm and claims 95 students have left the district because of the strike.

Battle Ground remains the only district in southwest Washington on strike.

Evergreen and Longview students returned to class this past week after agreements were reached last weekend.

In Washington, school districts opened up contract negotiations this summer after the Legislature earmarked more than $1 billion to increase teacher pay.