Your Union @ The Bargaining Table

By Teresa West, Chief Steward, MNPS Chapter

SEIU and Steelworkers Local 9426 (the union for MNPS bus drivers) met to begin preparations for the upcoming contract negotiations.

With the current contract due to expire on June 30th, SEIU had already sent out surveys to its members. Not a surprise to anyone that the number one issue was pay increases. With the prices of most daily living expenses increasing faster than take-home pay and the fact that, in many years, support employees actually go backwards due to budget cuts, the number one answer on the surveys was a given. Second on the minds of support employees was the health insurance options offered them this year. It seems that every year, the cost to employees increases offsetting the raises seen on their checks. This year was made even more alarming due to what most employees see as the worst insurance plan ever offered to them.

These issues along with many others brought to your Bargaining Team were presented to MNPS management on March 13th to begin the process of hammering out your new contract. We will continue to keep you informed on negotiations through The Blackboard and on the union’s website, www.SEIU205.org.

And remember, it is always possible that we’ll need your help during bargaining—either by attending school board meetings, Metro Council meetings, or by calling your legislators. If that happens, it is crucial that you do your part to help out. After all, we are STRONGER TOGETHER!