District 55 School Board negotiations with its classified association remain mostly unresolved with a number of differences, four major points, remaining between the two bargaining teams in completing revisions to contract language.
Contract negotiations between the classified and the school have focused primarily on proposals to change contract language, with mode in-depth discussions on salary and health insurance benefits expected later.
Four major issues and a number of others stand in the way of an agreement on contract language. Among those are proposals for filling vacancies, sick leave, overtime and the use of temporary employees.
The two groups met on Nov. 14 and last night. Results of last night’s meeting were unavailable at press time. The two groups have been meeting since the summer to settle a new contract, replacing the one the expired on June 30.
Vacancies
Currently, the school district must advertise among its own employees when filling a vacancy. If there are three or more qualified employees working in the district, the district must hire one of them.
The School Board has proposed altering the language to permit the district to advertise outside the district. The board would like to hire based on experience or seniority but does not want to make that the sole criterion in hiring.
The district has an obligation to select the most qualified person available for a vacancy and not necessarily the most senior or even the most qualified existing employee, Business Manager Russell Allen said. Under the classified association’s proposal, the district could have three minimally qualified employees and be forced to select one of the three while a more qualified person may be available outside the district.
The classified association would like to maintain current language, with some changes, to continue requiring the district to hire in-district if there are at least three qualified persons.
The classified association has proposed eliminating the phrase “in the district’s judgment” throughout the article. The phrase is mostly used in context of determining whether a person is qualified.
Sick leave
Current language allows classified employees to take sick leave to care for family members. The classified association wishes to maintain the current language.
The School Board initially proposed limiting sick leave to the employee. Following negotiations, the School Board offered to allow three days be used for family.
The classified association did not accept the proposal.
Overtime
Existing language allows classified employees to receive overtime when they work more than eight hours in a day.
The district proposed paying overtime when classified employees work more than 40 hours in a week to allow employees a sort of “flex-time” arrangement, meaning that by arrangement with their supervisors they could work nine hours one day and leave come in an hour later another day of the week.
The classified association disagrees with the proposal in favor of current language.
When a worker is not at work other employees must cover for them, Carolyn Wheeler, a member of the classified negotiating team, said.
Temporary employees
The existing contract allows the district to use a sub for up to 75 days before the sub becomes a temporary employee.
The classified association has asked that they be considered permanent employees covered by the classified contract after 75 days. The School Board has disagreed.
If the district were to get a one-year grant that includes, for example, 10 positions, Allen said, those employees would become permanent, and the district would then be required to go through a layoff procedure. Under current language, the district would make those positions temporary through the life of the grant.
Negotiations
The classified association accepted five district proposals in the Nov. 14 meeting. Total, the two sides have agreed on 10 articles of 31in the contract. Both teams have agreed to pursue a three-year contract.
Sweet Home classified association President Judy McKenzie addressed the school board on Nov. 13.
“We the classified employees take our jobs very seriously,” McKenzie said. “We believe our contribution to kids is a positive purposeful and productive way to earn a living. As a support staff, we feed empty tummies, help certified staff teach, transport safely, teach the ‘rules of society’ and provide a safe and clean environment for the kids to learn in.
In the collective bargaining goals statement, you said, the district recognizes the value and importance of the work performed by its classified employees in educating students. Some of the take aways in the proposal leave us feeling less than valued employees….
“Mr. O’Malley is a custodian who has been with the district 12 years. Not only does he keep the students environment safe and clean, he also is part of the ‘village’ that teaches them the rules of society. Morale is important to maintaining this atmosphere. When your take-home pay is less than the previous years, this affects morale. When you are told that your years on the job are less valued than a newcomer, morale suffers….
“With this year’s out-of-pocket expenses for the above-cap insurance payment, LTD payment and the hours being cut, the bargaining employees are wondering what will happen next. These 174 association are the community who pays the taxes, the community that votes for bond measures. The polls of last week show that we care about the kids’ education.
“Benefits and wage gains or losses should be shared equally from the top administration level to the lowest classified level. We do not feel that it is fair to discriminate on this issue because of the position. Expect respect is our theme. We would like to see this as a two-way street with respect going both ways.”
There has been movement on the non-economic portion, contract language, Supt. Bill Hampton, who is not participating at the bargaining table, said. Based on the last exchange in October, he was optimistic that the non-economic package would receive tentative agreement.
“The board’s made some significant movement in some areas,” Supt. Hampton said. He pointed to the three days of sick leave that would be permitted for families. The board also has agreed not to include language limiting the use of personal days.
Personal days are supposed to be used for business, such as banking or meeting with attorneys, but can be used as for any reason under existing language.
In the area of filling vacancies, Allen said, the district has made some movement, but “the district is still looking for more flexibility, the most qualified available.”
The board is balancing the employees’ needs but focusing on education with the funds available, Supt. Hampton said. “We would like to settle ass soon as possible as we know they are.”