While teachers, counselors and other certificated WEA members are in the news whether on strike, defying an injunction or finally ratifying a tentative agreement, education support professionals are also making gains at negotiating tables across the state.

In the Seattle-metropolitan area, Mercer Island CPEA members are receiving an average increase, this school year, of 16.2 percent, starting at $23.18 per hour and topping off at $43.23. Federal Way ESP members received an average increase of just under 17 percent for the upcoming school year, starting at and hourly $23.65 and topping off at $30.34. Bainbridge Island ESPA members will start at $18.88 per hour and max out at $51.91.

East of the mountains, Spokane Education Association, a wall-to-wall unit including the majority of those employed by Spokane Schools, members are particularly pleased that the nutrition service workers are receiving a 21.7 percent raise with those who are starting, receiving an hourly rate of $14.70 and those at the top of that pay schedule receiving $30.45. Spokane’s before- and after-school childcare employees are also seeing an average 21.7 percent increase this year, beginning at just under $14.00 and topping off at just under $25.

Other locals east of the Cascades, Touchet ESP members received an average 13.5 percent increase giving them a starting hourly salary of $14.57 and topping off at $24.10. Bridgeport CPEA members are receiving $17.94 to start and $37.10 maximum or an 11 percent increase. 

In the southern part of Washington, Woodland Secretaries have agreed to an average 15 percent increase starting at $18.33 and topping off at $24.80.

Many ESP units are still bargaining as is common this time every year. Stay strong, hold together and share this information with your membership and adminstration as examples of what can be achieved for ESPs. #WeAreWorthMore.