Despite the challenges posed by a second wave of COVID-19 infections this year, Council 4 union members continue to make significant progress at the negotiating table. We’re highlighting a recent contract victory in Enfield resulting from workplace activism and a commitment by local leaders and Council 4 staff to engage the membership around priority issues yielding real dividends.
Cafeteria workers, clerical staff and library assistants who work in Enfield’s public schools and are members of Local 1303-046 recently ratified a strong new contract that includes general wage increases, pay equity upgrades for some bargaining unit members, affordable healthcare, expansion of bereavement days and increases in longevity pay.
The 4-year agreement between the 40-member union and the Enfield Board of Education also holds the line on increases to health insurance premium cost shares and in some cases will significantly lower that percentage.
“Everything came together for us,” said Local 1303-046 President Ellen Smith, who works as Secretary to the Dean of Students. “In these times, when prices are skyrocketing, this is an extremely good contract that acknowledges the hard work and commitment of our members.”
Union members overwhelmingly supported the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) as did the Enfield Board of Education. Highlights of the new CBA include:
- General Wage Increases (GWI): Clerical and cafeteria employees who did not get salary upgrades will receive 2.5% increases in each of the four contract years. Those members who were upgraded will receive a GWI of 2.0% year one and 2.5% for each of the next 3 years.
- Salary Upgrades: Library Assistants (formerly Aides) are now compensated at a higher, livable pay grade, translating into a salary increase of approximately $13,000. Also, Clerical positions at the grade 3 salary scale have been upgraded to 4s, and all 4s have been upgraded to grade 5 salaries.
- Health Insurance: There is no increase to premium cost share for the first two years of the agreement, with increases of .5% and 1.0% in the last two years. The premium cost share will drop from 25% to 16% for library employees and from 20% to 16% (with an option to elect dependent coverage) for cafeteria employees.
Council 4 Staff Representative Tricia Johnson served as the Local’s spokesperson in contract negotiation.
“Tricia did a fabulous job for us,” Smith said. “She is a strong leader who kept us together and working toward an outcome that benefited everyone in our bargaining unit.”
Smith added, “This contract is not just a victory for our members. It’s a victory for the important services we provide to Enfield students and families. I hope our experience in Enfield inspires other Council 4 Board of Education bargaining units to see what is possible in challenging times.”
