School district employees narrowly ratified a two-year contract, even though the settlement doesn't eliminate a disparity in which they pay more for their health insurance than the district's top executives pay.
Rejecting the contract would have authorized the executive board of AFSCME Local 844 to call a strike, said business agent Rita During. The contract vote was Jan. 31.
The local represents 400 office workers, computer technicians, supply drivers and others who work in the district's schools, business offices and support facilities.
For members of Local 844, whose average salary is $32,000, the district contributes $575 a month for family health insurance, forcing employees to pay about one-third of their premium. But the district kicks in as much as $850 a month for the superintendent and other top administrators who make six-figure salaries.
"I don't want to take it away from her," During said of superintendent Pat Harvey's insurance package. "I just want them to treat us the same way." Instead, in a "very nasty" final bargaining session on Jan. 14, the district refused to raise its contribution beyond $670 a month this year, and $740 a month in 2006, During said. "They continue to believe it's appropriate to give a larger contribution to higher-paid employees than to lower-paid employees," she said.
Though the district's contribution increases, it will only partly offset higher insurance premiums, which could rise as much as 18 percent in 2006, projections show. Meanwhile, employees will face a pay freeze in the second year of their contract, after receiving a 2.5 percent increase the first year, retroactive to June 26.
During said AFSCME remains angry with School Board members who received union endorsements but refused to get involved in the negotiations, saying the dispute wasn't a policy issue, but an administrative issue.
"They're avoiding the whole discussion and absolutely refusing to acknowledge anything about it," she said.
Adapted from The Union Advocate, the official newspaper of the St. Paul Trades and Labor Assembly. E-mail The Advocate at: advocate@mtn.org
School district employees narrowly ratified a two-year contract, even though the settlement doesn’t eliminate a disparity in which they pay more for their health insurance than the district’s top executives pay.
Rejecting the contract would have authorized the executive board of AFSCME Local 844 to call a strike, said business agent Rita During. The contract vote was Jan. 31.
The local represents 400 office workers, computer technicians, supply drivers and others who work in the district’s schools, business offices and support facilities.
For members of Local 844, whose average salary is $32,000, the district contributes $575 a month for family health insurance, forcing employees to pay about one-third of their premium. But the district kicks in as much as $850 a month for the superintendent and other top administrators who make six-figure salaries.
“I don’t want to take it away from her,” During said of superintendent Pat Harvey’s insurance package. “I just want them to treat us the same way.” Instead, in a “very nasty” final bargaining session on Jan. 14, the district refused to raise its contribution beyond $670 a month this year, and $740 a month in 2006, During said. “They continue to believe it’s appropriate to give a larger contribution to higher-paid employees than to lower-paid employees,” she said.
Though the district’s contribution increases, it will only partly offset higher insurance premiums, which could rise as much as 18 percent in 2006, projections show. Meanwhile, employees will face a pay freeze in the second year of their contract, after receiving a 2.5 percent increase the first year, retroactive to June 26.
During said AFSCME remains angry with School Board members who received union endorsements but refused to get involved in the negotiations, saying the dispute wasn’t a policy issue, but an administrative issue.
“They’re avoiding the whole discussion and absolutely refusing to acknowledge anything about it,” she said.
Adapted from The Union Advocate, the official newspaper of the St. Paul Trades and Labor Assembly. E-mail The Advocate at: advocate@mtn.org