Classified Calexico school employees stage work absence

CALEXICO — An undetermined number of Calexico Unified School District classified employees deliberately missed work Friday in order to protest stalled contract negotiations.

The action by members of California School Employees Association Chapter 399 was more spontaneous than predetermined and may also extend into Monday, said union President Sonia Redona.

The 410 CSEA members have been operating without a contract since the 201516 school year.

“It’s been 24 months of negotiations and something has to be done,” Redona said.

The union is seeking a 5 percent pay increase retroactive to 2015-16 and a 2 percent increase retroactive to 2016-17, said union Vice President Elizabeth Esqueda.

The increase is being sought in part to o set concessions the district is seeking in increased medical insurance premium and retirement contributions.

The union is also looking to ensure that pay adjustments coming in January to minimum wage employees are applied equitably to all classified employees in accordance with the merit-based system already in place, Esqueda said

District Superintendent Carlos R. Gonzales did not respond directly to a request for comment. However, the district did issue a press release in which it confirmed that on Friday “there was an unusually high number of absences of sta members providing support services.”

The release went on to assure parents “that all schools and services are functioning successfully, there is no danger to any students, teachers or staff members, and the education of our students continues without interruption. All school sites and the district office remain open.”

The district said “the majority” of district staff and teachers reported for work as normal on Friday.

“We appreciate the support that we received from all staff members present and will continue to keep all services and sites open, as the education of our students continues uninterrupted,” Superintendent Gonzales stated in the release.