Northwest Indiana Annual Report 2008
Employee Representation and Bargaining
Gary Community Schools
Our members in the Gary Schools negotiated a new agreement for January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008, which covers all of our Gary School Units (Food Service, Clerical Aides, Secretaries, Custodians, Crossing Guards, and Matrons). All six of our units received wage inreases of 2.5% effective Janurary 1, 2008, and 2% effective January 1, 2009. We worked on insurance rates for our members. The new rates, under the Health Fund 208, went into effect on May 1 of last year. Our Matrons and Crossing Gurads now recieve Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance at no cost to them. Our Food Service Off-Premise Managers will have the new title of Head Cook. Our Elementary Head Cooks were upgraded to the High School Head Cook level. This increased their pay rates as well. Our Data Processing Secretaries have been included in the service increment pay, which gives them an additional $200 to $750 per year, depending on their years of service.
Hobart School Custodians
Our members received a 2% across the board wage increase that became effective on July 1, 2008, plus a 1.5% one-time stipend given in December 2008.
Merrillville
We received a 2% wage increase across the board which became effective January 1, 2008, and a one-time stipend. we negotiated the stipend to be equally divided among the workers so that everyone got the same amount of money. We also increased the break times depending on hours worked.
East Chicago
Our Food Service Workers negotiated their first contract for October 16, 2008 through January 31, 2011. The contract includes percentage wage increases over each year of the contract, health insurance for employees working six hours or more that is 80% paid for by the employer, maintenance of original seniority dates from the former employer; one sick day is accrued per month worked, job posting and bidding are required; and a grievance procedure with binding arbitration and just cause necessary for discipline.
Congratulations to the East Chicago Food Service Workers on their first contract!
Lake Ridge School Units
Our Food Service Unit has been turned over to Chartwells, but we still negotiated a new, one year contract. Seniority was carried over from the former employer, and we made improvements to the benefits, and gained 4% retroactive wage increases back to January of 2008. Our members will also be receiving percentage increases for 2009 and 2010.
Illinois Central Bus Drivers
We finally received union recognition from Illinois Central after Laidlaw lost their contract with the Gary School Corporation! Our new contract became effective in September. Seniority was carried over from the old employer, and we established a Safe Driver Award of $200 each year. Employees working 20 hours or more a week are provided with no cost dental and life insurance. We also will be receiving percentage increases for each year of the contract.
Hammond School Custodial Unit
The custodial unit settled a new, two-year contract that allows for seniority to continue while on unpaid leave. Our members will also receive percentage increases every six months over the life of the contract and a one-time stipend in 2009.