ThisWeek CW 06-18-2015
http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/canalwinchester/news/2015/06/15/groveport-madison-schools-3-year-pact-gives-oapse-members-pay-increases.html
The Groveport Madison Board of Education voted June 10 to approve a new contract with the Ohio Association of Public School Employees that gives union members their first base salary increases in eight years.
OAPSE locals 312 and 787 represent 203 non-certified district employees, including maintenance workers, custodians, food service workers, educational aides and secretaries.
Superintendent Bruce Hoover said the three-year pact will increase base salaries by 1.5 percent in the first year, 2.5 percent in the second year and 3 percent in the third year.
“First and foremost, thanks go to the OAPSE union for the work they provided us over these years and the partnership in working through this bargaining process to come to this ratified agreement,” Hoover said. “I’m pleased by how well both sides worked together to reach an agreement so quickly.”
Union President Pam Ling agreed the two sides had worked well together.
“As president of the union, I would like to personally thank you for making this an easy contract to ratify,” Ling said. “The negotiating team was a pleasure to work with and so was the administration.
“On behalf of the union, I want to thank the board of education for their support in ensuring both parties continue to maintain a great working relationship,” she added. “This was evident during the negotiation process, given the spirit of cooperation and collaboration that took place between parties.”
In a joint written statement, OAPSE and district officials thanked district employees “for recognizing the importance of working together and supporting this district through tough times.
“Your sacrifices have enabled us to provide the services necessary to help our students grow,” the statement said. “Along with the support of our community, we are now able to raise the standard of living for our employees in a financially responsible way that will allow us to prolong the life of the levy approved by voters last year. The spirit of collaborative negotiations is a positive step forward for the district.”
Following the vote to approve the OAPSE contract, the board went into executive session to continue discussions regarding contract negotiations with the Groveport Madison Local Education Association, the union that represents teachers. The current contract with the GMLEA expires July 1.
Both Hoover and board President Nathan Slonaker said negotiations with the GMLEA have been progressing favorably and they anticipate having a contract to vote on soon.
“I believe we will have a fair resolution on the table soon, and it would be nice to get it done before July 1, but we can roll over that date if needed,” Slonaker said.
Hoover said he was “pleased by the progress” and thankful for how well both sides are working to come to a good agreement.