When we speak up together, we get results!
Several of our units have taken action together to improve their jobs. Here are just a few of our recent successes:
Custodians Take a Stand!
Back in January, Custodians delivered a petition to the School Board requesting solutions to insufficient staffing, unprofessional treatment of workers, and poor working conditions. One area that needed to be resolved was the lack of substitutes and vacation time restrictions. When we wanted to take off a couple weeks during the summer, management told us we couldn’t because there weren’t any substitutes to fill in for us while we were gone. We were only allowed short vacation breaks. As a result, a lot of us were dangerously close to losing some of our earned vacation time due to the district’s “use it or lose it” policy.
Because we spoke up, the Board gave a directive to hire more substitutes. Our SEIU Local 99 Steward, Marco Ramirez, and staff were able to meet with the district on April 2nd to figure out next steps.
As a result, we won the following changes:
- Starting this summer, if we want to take earned vacation time off, the District will provide a substitute to cover for us while we’re out. According to Mr. Fielding, “In the next month we will have a good sub custodian base.”
- During the summer, we’ll be able to take more than two weeks at a time if we wish. We can use any amount of vacation time we have on the books. (The only exception is during the two weeks immediately prior to the end of the school year and the two weeks prior to the start of the school year. We must work those weeks.)
- Although we’re only allowed to have two years’ worth of unused vacation, the District will continue to permit us to have three years’ worth until June 30, 2014. After that, we can again only have two years’ worth on the books.
New Position for Food Service = New Advancement Opportunity
Food Service Satellite Operators working in our middle schools have organized a push to create a new job title for their position: Food Service Satellite Operator, Middle School. In discussions with the district, these workers have shown that they have more responsibility—more staff to oversee, more meals to prepare—than their job description recognizes. This change in title would also come with a 96¢ per hour pay increase. This proposal was approved by the District’s Personnel Commission on April 16, where Director Kris Koga highlighted the amazing work of food service staff. The next step will be a School Board vote on May 6.
Our Stewards, Bargaining Team members, and other union leaders and staff will continue to look at these types of salary issues. This new food services job title is a step in the right direction and creates opportunities for the entire food service unit for advancement. In addition, any elementary school Satellite Operator who substitutes for this new position will receive the higher rate of pay during those hours.
Transportation Gets New Rules When Going the Extra Mile
When we negotiated our last contract, we pushed to have Chapter 7 (Distribution of Extra Time) of our Driver’s Handbook included as an addendum. This was an important step because it means, going forward with future contracts, we can negotiate changes to these rules. We can give our input on changes we want to see. Also, by being included in the contract, we can help ensure that the policies in Chapter 7 are guaranteed in writing.
Our Union Stewards and Representatives have been working closely with management to ensure that extra time is distributed fairly and reflects what drivers need.
Here is just one example of the changes we have been able to make (underline = changes):
7.1.4 – (7.2.1.1) Extra Work Eligibility
In order for a driver to be eligible for any extra evening work assignment on a “regular workday,” or “weekday,” (i.e., Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday), he or she must work the entire same day, with the exception of time off in the morning with prior approval or a bona fide emergency in the morning. In the case of such emergency, driver must report status update and estimated arrival time for PM Route by 10:00 a.m.
