LWESP Bargaining Update, September 27, 2013

Valued,        Respected,        Paid a Living Wage,                          Fair Treatment,         Fair Contract

Our LWESP bargaining team met with the District's negotiators from 5:00 p.m. until after 9:00 p.m. September 18th. The tone was cordial and professional. The message from District decision-makers, however, is mixed---

• We are told we are valued. We are told we are respected.
• Yet the District won't entertain our suggestions on how much money should be deducted from your monthly pay for your medical premiums. They don't seem to understand this is part of our overall compensation.

• We are told the District hears our concern that our employer doesn't pay a Living Wage.
• Yet, they won't actually talk about the research outlining how far behind we are, and they won't problem solve on beginning to make progress towards a Living Wage. Instead, the District insists on comparing your pay to what other classified K-12 public education staff earn, even though a Blue Ribbon Task Force appointed by the State (including Chip Kimball) has concluded you are underpaid.

• LWESP members who work in schools take care of students with seizures, concussions, broken bones, and less serious health issues. We dispense medication to students. We've explained the challenges of keeping students safe with inadequate health room staffing, inadequate and untimely training, and when the District's Health Reference Manual is unclear and not even provided to staff in all schools.

 We are told that student health and safety are important.

• And we're told, if you work in a school, it's your job to cover the health room and do all your other work, too. Period. 

Did we make progress on our concerns on the 18th? We are still working without a contract. We do not have a settlement. We will keep talking with the District's bargaining team. You will be getting a call from the LWESP bargaining Support Team. We heard from a large group of members on the 9th. We will want to hear from you again.