Negotiations in the Roosevelt School District had essentially been at a standstill for several years due to their being under state oversight as well as facing some difficult issues which made this a long a difficult process.
However with recent changes in the administration, there appeared to be movement and some specific discussions on how our long standing disputes could be resolved, began to take hold. With contracts for all units throughout the district out nearly four and five years, UPSEU and each respective negotiating team held onto its goal of securing a fair retroactive agreement.
Negotiations began to move forward as the parties wanted to achieve contracts that would meet the needs of both UPSEU members and those of the district. Retroactive pay, a significant issue for UPSEU and its members, was a must in the contract.
Ultimately the Custodial, Grounds, Clerical and Security units achieved agreements that not only provided retroactive annual wage increases, but will as well provide for future increases. All increases were plus step. Those in the schedule had been receiving steps in accordance with the law. Most significantly, no concessions were included in the contract. These long term agreements give the parties breathing room for future negotiations, as the contracts go several years into the future.
UPSEU's Randy Tillman, who headed up the negotiations stated, "It was a long struggle, but our members in each unit were steadfast in the demand for retroactive pay, while maintaining the benefits they have enjoyed. They achieved their goals. The gains were beyond expectation, and I commend the respective negotiating teams of the three units for their patience and willingness to stand firm in their commitment to their co-workers. Critical to the process was the willingness of the membership to wait out the process for as long as it took to achieve a contract that they could support."
Each of the agreements were overwhelmingly approved by unit members.
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