ESP Bargaining – Restart Update #9

ESP Bargaining – Restart Update #9

The ESP Negotiation Team met with the School Committee today March 23rd from 4:30 pm to 6:10 pm.

First, it was amazing to see that we had approximately 20 Educational Support Personnel join negotiations as observers! It was a great opportunity for those unit members to hear first hand what was discussed so they can go back to their buildings and share the information.

Second, in response to the overwhelmingly concerned reaction by ESPS to the School Committee’s proposed two-tiered salary system of Instructional and Intensive Support, the Bargaining Team had a working session on March 15th to develop a counter proposal which was presented to the School Committee this evening. 

The HEA proposal included the following:

• Current year 2% increase retroactive to 7/1/2020
• FY 22 $3/hour increase to every cell in the current Salary Schedule THEN 2% increase. Restructuring longevity with 3 new salary steps, dropping current Step 1
• FY 23 2% incresae, drop the two bottom steps to return to a 6-step scale

In response, the School Committee went into private session to review our proposal from 5:10 pm to 6:00 pm. They acknowledged the ESPS reluctance to restructure the salary schedule entirely and wanted more time so they could discuss our proposal with the rest of the School Committee. Two follow up negotiation sessions were scheduled April 15th @4:30 pm and April 28th @5pm.

In the meantime, it is crucial that as a union ALL MEMBERS unite and support ESPS in their fight for a Living Wage. Collective actions are imperative and must continue. Standouts continue every Thursday before contracted time at every building.

WE NEED EVERY MEMBER OUTSIDE! Start early! Wake the neighbors!

Together we are strong and must continue to fight! When we fight, we win!

In Solidarity,

Maureen Zuber

ESP Unit Representative/Bargaining Chair

ESPs: Join our new Facebook group: ESPs of Haverhill!