Glendale Unified and CSEA tentatively agree on an ongoing 1.54% raise
The Glendale Unified School District and the local chapter of the California School Employees Assn., known as CSEA, tentatively agreed to allocate $1.4 million to wages for the past two school years, after nearly 14 months of bargaining.
Union and non-union staff could see an ongoing 1.54% raise, retroactive to July 1, 2019.
“It’s nice to get a check for [a one-time bonus], but it doesn’t carry on for future months... meaning it will continue every month after you sign the agreement,” said Stacy Toy, president of the Glendale chapter of CSEA. “And that’s what we’re excited about. This is an ongoing salary increase.”
More than 1,100 employees affected include workers in the information technology, clerical, cafeteria, maintenance and other office departments.
“Our classified employees play a vital role in creating a culture and climate that promotes academic success and gives students a sense of belonging on our campuses,” said Glendale Unified Supt. Vivian Ekchian in a statement.
Toy described the raise as decent, but also said CSEA staff are the lowest paid in the district, with most workers earning minimum wage.
“I want to thank everyone whose hard work led to this tentative agreement, which balances our desire to fairly compensate our highly valued employees and make responsible financial decisions,” said Jennifer Freemon, president of the Glendale Unified school board, in a statement.
CSEA membership is expected to vote on the tentative agreement on Feb.7. If ratified, the Glendale Unified school board will vote on the agreement. The bargaining team is also expected to meet on Feb. 13 to take part in additional negotiations, discussing topics such as staffing ratios, workload, contracting-out protections and working conditions in the 2019 to 2022 CSEA contract.
“There is still work that needs to be done, and it’s not just monetary. It’s working conditions and other pieces of the pie that make our employees’ lives better. So, we will continue to fight for fair wages, staffing levels and [against outsourcing],” Toy said.
