The bargaining table is where dedicated teachers and resilient educators square off against budget constraints, policy shifts, and the desire to provide the best education possible for their students. These negotiations are more than discussions about salaries and benefits, they’re conversations about working and learning conditions that help shape the future of our schools. The wins achieved at the bargaining table are wins for our staff and students. Here are some of those victories.
Oxford Hills
Increased pay, scale size reduction, reimbursement increases & more
Oxford Hills Support Staff settled a contract that included an 18% pay increase for bus drivers in the first year on the job, a 17% increase for custodians in the first year, and an 8% increase for Ed Tech Is in the first year. No single member of the bargaining unit received less than a 5% raise in year one of the contract, and the average increase across all eleven salary scales was 8.36% in year one of the new contract. The new contract pay scale is now more in line with similar jobs in area school districts.
Other contract wins included condensing the salary scale from 25 years to 14 years, access to vacation time sooner, $1.00 pay differential for Ed Tech I’s who are Safety Care Trained, increase in meal reimbursements for drivers, tool reimbursement for mechanics, clothing/shoe reimbursement for custodians and more.
MSAD 33- Frenchville and St. Agatha Support Staff
Gains in pay sick time and sub relief
Support Staff in MSAD 33 ratified a new contract that provides food service employees with an additional $1/hour in the first year on top of the 5.5% negotiated raise on the scale. The school district initially offered a 1.5% pay scale pay raise, and the union fought back and settled on raises of 5.5%, 4.5% and 4.0% respectively for the three-year contract. With staff shortages, and Ed Techs filling in for additional work, those who now sub for teachers will receive an additional $4/hour for the work. Sick day improvements were also realized with year-round employees now given the ability to accrue 100 sick days. Fifty percent of days above 100 at the end of the school year will be paid at $50/day. School year employees can accrue 95 sick days. Fifty percent of days above 95 at the end of the school year will be paid at $50/day.
Saco
Wins in length of day, evaluation & transfers
Teachers reached a new 3-year contract that retained their health insurance coverage and provides strong increases on the salary scale. The local union has also used their power to advocate for issues relating to transfers, length of the workday and changes in their teacher evaluation system.
RSU 5-Freeport, Durham, Pownal
Growing a strong union through organizing training
Members Jenn Winkler and Grace Marley from Coastal EA attended the 3-day Organizing Institute in Buffalo, NY where they learned how to build their local power through sustained organizing efforts. The training provides members with a greater understanding of how to use their collective voice to create changes that benefit students and staff. Members also learn about the importance of membership, and how to better engage those who are existing members while encouraging others to join.
