District ratifies deal with workers

Governing board approves collective bargaining agreement with classified employees

The William S. Hart Union High School District ratified a collective bargaining agreement with the local chapter of the California School Employees Association Wednesday and approved compensation adjustments for unrepresented employees.

“Negotiations have been ongoing since July of last year,” Board President Steve Sturgeon said. “Benefits and salary were two areas focused on by the negotiating groups.”

In May, custodians, office workers and other stakeholders in the community filled every available seat in the Hart District’s board meeting, forcing many members of the district’s custodial staff to line the walls as they waited their turn to address members of the board.

At the podium, speakers shared stories about medical benefits costing as much as their mortgage, their experiences juggling three jobs and other premium problems they’ve encountered in their time with the district, which spans more than three decades for some.

At the time, negotiations were ongoing but a prospective agreement was presented to the board on Wednesday.

In addition to changes in the contract’s language, the agreement provides for a 2 percent one-time bonus that will be based on an employee’s salary rate on July 1, 2017, according to the agenda.

Benefits caps will also increase to $14,500 for all CSEA members, which is equivalent to a one percent increase in bargaining unit costs on an ongoing basis.

Some CSEA member had benefits caps that were under 10K before, Sturgeon said.

Despite the compensation increases, the district projects it will meet the state mandated reserve for economic uncertainties during the term of the agreement, district leaders said.

Employee groups outside of the California School Employees and Hart District Teachers associations will also receive compensation increases after the board approved a separate agreement at the district meeting.

“The governing board shall increase the salary of each unrepresented district employees by 1 percent effective July 1, 2018,” according to the agenda. “Additionally, each employee in the unrepresented group will receive a one-time, off salary schedule payment equal to 2 percent of the employee’s 2017/18 annual base salary.”

Sturgeon said, “This brings equity with the teachers’ union contract.”