OSEA Bargaining Session Update: August 22, 2017
The sixth bargaining session between Oregon School Employees Association (OSEA) and Reynolds School District (RSD) was held on August 22, 2017 at the Professional Development Center from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The session started with a caucus requested by OSEA.
Both parties started talking at the table at 11:45 am and reviewed the agenda, which was to discuss:
Article 4: Fringe Benefits;
Article 5: Paid Leaves of Absence;
Article 7: Emergency Closures; and
Article 8: Salary.
The District presented its proposals for:
Article 4 – Fringe Benefits. The proposal contains:
Insurance contributions that remain status quo from 2016-17 for employees who work 4 or more hours per day as follows:
12 Month Employees = $1,300 per month
Employees who work 195 days or more but less than 12 months = $1079 per month
Employees who work 194 days or less = $975 per month
Provisions were added to this latest proposal to increase the insurance contribution for 2017-18 in the event it is increased for the Reynolds Education Association members.
OSEA members would maintain the opportunity to choose the allocation of fringe benefit dollars to any medical, dental, vision, prescription, disability, and/or life insurance. One-half of any remaining balance is available for use on any other district‐provided supplemental insurance currently available through district agents of record. (OSEA Contract, Article 4, Section B). Employees may also be eligible for an additional contribution from the insurance pool, which deposits unused fringe benefit dollars to a pool which reimburses employees for a portion of their out of pocket insurance premium. Article 4, Section E.
Article 5: Paid Leaves of Absence. The proposal contains:
Ability for staff to take emergency leave in two-hour increments when a substitute is not required.
Staff may use up to 4 days of emergency leave for illness of a family member.
Article 7: Emergency Closure. The proposal contains:
Additional pay for reporting to work in inclement weather ($5 or $10 per hour depending on the working conditions)
OSEA presented their proposals for the following:
Article 8 –Salary. The proposal contains:
A cost of living increase of 2.75% in 2071-18.
Additional longevity step of $.35 for 30 years and increases in the current longevity steps from $.25 to $.35 at 15 years; from $.50 to $.75 at 20 years; and from $.25 to $.35 at 25 years.
Increases to the salary schedule for specific positions as follows:
Mechanic I and Mechanic II – increase of 10%
Mechanic III – increase of 15%
Maintenance Worker General – Move from Column IIC to IIIA
Maintenance Worker Lead – Move from Column IIIA to IIIB
Library/Media Assistant – Move to IC (Currently higher at IIA)
These positions were identified by OSEA as being below regional averages.
Removal of the $750 stipend for performing asbestos abatement;
Addition of a $600 stipend for performing locksmithing work;
Additional language proposing a more specific job description review process.
OSEA also provided a salary comparison for positions OSEA determined as currently being paid less than regional averages. The positions OSEA selected for their comparison include: Instructional Assistant I; Assistant Secretary; Head Secretary; MS Head Secretary; Payroll Technician; Custodian; Head Custodian; Cook; Assistant Manager Nutrition Services; Warehouse Worker; Groundskeeper; Library/Media Assistant; Mechanic I; Mechanic II; Mechanic III; Bus Driver; and Student Services Secretary.
Both parties have discussed a desire to complete a salary survey.
Tentative Agreement was reached on:
Article 7 – Emergency Closure.
It was also confirmed with OSEA that the District is no longer proposing the five furlough days MOU that had been presented to OSEA at an earlier date. The District moved forward with saving the needed dollars through other budget cuts so the furlough days MOU is no longer an option. OSEA confirmed that it understood.
Future Sessions:
The next negotiations session is scheduled for September 28, 2017 from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. in the Library at Woodland Elementary School.
