The ESP Negotiation Team met with the School Committee today, April 15h, from 4:30 to just after 6:00pm.
First, we would like to thank all of the ESPs who joined us on this call as observers. It is important that the School Committee see that we are all vested in these negotiations, so thank you for taking time out of your evening to join us. Our next bargaining session is on April 28th. Please reach out to Maureen Zuber (mzuberhea@gmail.com) by 5pm on the 27th if you would like to join us as an observer. Your participation matters!
Tonight the School Committee presented us with their latest counter proposal. We received it one hour before we met with them. Even with that short amount of time to review, it was clear from the start that we were once again far from an agreement as their offer would have actually caused several members of our bargaining team to make less money. After the School Committee explained their counter, two members of our negotiation team laid out clear examples of how they would be losing money under this new counter proposal. It seemed like the School Committee was a little taken back by these examples and later stated that was not intentional.
As a Negotiation Team, we decided that it was important to present a counter offer tonight. We caucused for almost an hour and came back with what we felt was a fair and equitable offer. There are other language changes we are coming closer to agreement on as well.
Current HEA Salary Proposal
FY 20-21: 2% increase retroactive to July 1, 2020
FY 21-22 (convert to 182 days/add 1 day of work):
- New Salary Structure (collapses “classes”, incorporates longevity & eliminates toileting stipend)
Steps Annual (6 hrs) Hourly
1 $25,000 $22.89
2 $27,600 $25.27
3 $30,300 $27.75
4 $33,000 $30.22
Differentials Annual (6 hrs) Hourly
Bachelor’s $2,184 $2.00
Library/Tech* $3,276 $3.00
Active Teach Lic. $1,092 $1.00
FY 22-23 – 2% increase
In response, the School Committee went into private session to review what we had presented. To our surprise they came back with a counter that for the very first time our Negotiations Team felt we had something we could work with.
School Committee Response
FY 20-21:1.75% increase, retroactive to July 1, 2020
FY 21-22 (convert to 182 days/add 1 day of work)
- New Salary Structure (collapses “classes”, incorporates longevity & eliminates toileting stipend)
Steps Annual (6 hrs) Hourly
1 (years 1-3) $22,932 $21.00
2 (years 4-9)** $26,208 $24.00
3 (years 10+) $29,484 $27.00
Differentials Annual (6 hrs) Hourly
Library/Tech* $1,092 $1
Active Teach Lic. $1,092 $1
* when not under supervision of a certified teacher
** ESPs hired after 7/1/21 who have a Bachelor’s Degree will be placed on step 2. ESPs on step 1 who earn a bachelor’s degree before their 4th year advance to step 2.
FY 22-23:1.5% increase
Overall, we believe we had a productive meeting with the momentum finally starting to move in a positive direction for our members. However, this process is far from over. Please keep up your ALL MEMBER unity and support. Standouts continue every Thursday morning before contracted time at EVERY building – RAIN OR SHINE – until we have a contract!
Last, please plan to join us for what we hope will be our largest standout to date on April 29th at City Hall before the next School Committee Meeting. With bargaining the day before, it’s important we have as many members and supporters possible to join us. Will we be celebrating a tentative agreement from the day before, or will we be forced to once again demonstrate our collective power and continue to demand a fair living wage?
Your support makes all the difference!
ESPs: Join our new Facebook group: ESPs of Haverhill! This new Facebook group is a great resource for important and relative information to you, the HEArt of Haverhill ESPs. Be informed, stay informed!
In Solidarity,
Vickie Steed, Leeann Ferguson,
and the ESP Bargaining Team