ESP Bargaining – Restart Update #7
The ESP negotiating team met with the SC on February 10, at 5:00 pm, to continue our work toward settling our contract. We were informed that Rich Rosa left their team and has been replaced by Toni Donais. Mrs Donais spoke in favor of finding a way to increase our salaries, and we are thankful for her support.
To address the concerns of ESP salaries, the initial offer from the SC was to create a 12-month position for a small number of ESPs (about 20 to start) in order to increase the annual wages those ESPs can earn. While we are open to the creation of these positions, we were firm in our request that all Education Support Professionals earn a living wage for the work we are currently doing.
One job should be enough for any educator to earn a living wage.
Our message to the SC is that we should NOT have to work 2 or 3 jobs, and/or depend on government assistance, as many of our members do, to pay our bills and take care of our families. The expectations for our position have increased year after year, but our salary has not. The time is NOW to pay us the living wage we deserve!
After passionate and very valid arguments from members of the Bargaining Team, the SC asked to reconvene on February 24 at 4:00pm. During this time, the SC will meet to discuss a counter proposal, and discuss their new salary proposal to present on that date.
Any ESP who would like to join the bargaining team to observe the negotiations as an observer is welcome to join us at this next session. For more information or to sign up, email Maureen Zuber (mzuberhea@gmail.com).
An All-Unit Action Team Meeting Is Scheduled for February 22, at 4:30pm.
Members from all units are encouraged to attend as we organize to support not only our own contract demands, but those of our union siblings in the clerical unit as well – the more the merrier!
It’s clear that the longer these negotiations continue, the more solidarity it will require to move the School Committee to give us what we deserve. Join us as we plan our next steps (email haved@verizon.net to be added to the Action Team mailing list).
In Solidarity,
ESP Bargaining Team