Philly schools reach tentative pact with 32BJ blue-collar workers
The union that represents blue-collar workers in the Philadelphia School District has reached a tentative agreement with the district and expects to vote on a proposed four-year pact Saturday.
The union that represents blue-collar workers in the Philadelphia School District has reached a tentative agreement with the district and expects to vote on a proposed four-year pact Saturday.
The union local - SEIU 32BJ - is not releasing details before the ratification vote. But officials said the contract ends concessions that saved the district $100 million over four years and helped it during a financial crisis.
"Our hard-working members sacrificed over the past four years to help the students and the district," Ernie Bennett, District 1201 leader for 32BJ, said in a statement Monday. "We are glad the district acknowledges our efforts. This agreement allows these employees to continue supporting their families and their communities."
A district spokeswoman confirmed that a tentative agreement had been reached with 32BJ but declined further comment.
The union represents more than 2,000 bus drivers, bus attendants, maintenance workers, cleaners, and building engineers. Average starting hourly wages range from $12 for a cleaner to $20 for a trade mechanic.
Negotiations began in April for a new contract to replace the 32BJ agreement that expires Aug. 31.
The union that represents School District administrators is also expected to vote this week on a proposed four-year contract.
At a meeting last week, Teamsters Local 502 of the Commonwealth Association of School Administrators (CASA) said its members needed more time and information before they could vote on a tentative agreement negotiators had reached with the district.
A series of informational meetings is scheduled to begin Wednesday night at CASA's headquarters on North Broad Street. Ballots will be tallied after Friday's session.
At a City Council hearing on the district's budget in May, Superintendent William R. Hite Jr. said the district was determined to reach new contracts this year with CASA, 32BJ, and the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers. The PFT contract expired in 2013.
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