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I work three jobs. One is a slightly over minimum wage summer job. I received a quarter raise this year. Another is for a company-owned resort. I was independent until last summer when they officially hired me. I was given a $2 an hour raise and benefits, including holiday pay, medical, 401 matching money and stock options. This is a part-time job of about 400 hours a year. In January they increased the medical benefit. Two weeks ago a 3% raise appeared on my check. No huge contract negotiation. A small percent says "thanks for doing your job well, and costs are up, so this percent will help."

I also work as a bus driver and paraprofessional for District 118, this is the job I'm dedicated to, because I find joy in changing lives. Non-certified staff; cooks, secretaries, drivers, paraprofessionals and custodians have been without a contract since school year 2010-2011. We have had many meetings to try to settle a contract. We are in mediation, unable to come to an agreement. The school says we are only part-time and would like us to "give-up" benefits that we've bargained in the past for, sometimes taking a pay freeze to receive. If we do that, they'd consider a 1% increase and small medical increase. With shortened Wednesday's schedule we've had a half-hour a week for a total of twenty hours cut this year by them.

Last contract a previous superintendent was looking for a way to reduce the costs of substitutes while people used sick time. They bargained a deposit to a health care savings plan for unused sick time that would be lost after storing up the maximum. When it came time to pay out, they realized some workers were at this maximum and would earn the payout right away, they took it to mediation and we agreed to drop subsequent years to only 25% pay over the maximum. Many were mad that they "took back" that benefit, while others hoped for peaceful negotiations this time around. Because of this, the school has paid an attorney approx. $16,000 so far, with billable meetings still expected (in an effort to save the district money).

Last school year, after a very tough bargaining session the certified staff (teachers) each received a lump sum payment of $1200. They didn't get what they were asking for in steps and lanes, but they weren't asked to give up these kinds of benefits. Certified staff are part-time as well, only working 9 months. The substitute teachers were just given a 9% increase. In mentioning these other groups, I don't mean to take away from the great job they do, and the education they worked for. I know they look at other pay scales and wonder why they do this for a living.

We all do what we do for one reason. For the kids. It certainly isn't for the "job well done" feeling we get from our employer.

When will state funding...when will school boards stop taking it from the little people while they give out generous contracts to management and run referendums because state aid isn't enough. We will spend Tuesday, April 16 in a mediation session. The School Board has stated they won't budge on these issues. The MSEA negotiation staff has decided we won't take more cuts. I'd like to ask you to contact a School Board member and share your concerns. But you have your own financial problems, and probably won't get involved. And they know it. Or will you?[[In-content Ad]]

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