Update - Rochester ESPs to vote on tentative agreement
The Rochester ESPs will vote on October 17 on whether to ratify a tentative agreement with the Rochester School District. Members will receive details of the agreement at the meeting.
“We have made significant economic gains for our members in the area of healthcare support from the District, improvements in salary, and added considerably more money to our professional development fund for members,” said Ivy Rae, Rochester ESP president. “While we are pleased to bring this package back to the membership for ratification, we realize that much more progress needs to be made.”
The agreement covers limited items that allowed for reopened negotiations. Rochester ESP will begin negotiations on a fully reopened successor agreement in the next six months.
“We will continue to strive to improve upon our recent gains and address many issues as we reach-out to members through one-on-one interviews, surveys and meetings before reaching the bargaining table,” Rae said.
Rae made clear she and the bargaining team were deeply grateful for the support from WEA Chinook members and the community.
“We are especially proud of our membership who stood with us, and walked the line, doing informational picketing at bargaining sessions and at school board meetings,” Rae said. “Without their public support and that of the community, we wouldn’t have accomplished so much. The negotiation team thanks all for their support.”
Rochester ESPs stand up for a living wage
Classified staff are too often the unsung educators who create a positive learning environment in our schools. They work in classrooms, in the library and in the office. They keep our schools clean and safe, and they feed and transport our children.
Since we depend on classified staff to do so much, it’s only fair that they know they can depend on our schools for a stable working environment.
That is why the Rochester Education Support Personnel are standing up for improvements in their new contract. Some of their core issues include:
- Securing a living wage
- Financial assistance with health insurance premiums, matching what is done for certificated staff in Rochester
- Sufficient funds for professional development
How you can help the Rochester ESPs
You can show the Rochester ESPs your support at the next Rochester school board meeting.
- What: Rally for RESP
- Where: Rochester SD District Office
- When: Wednesday, Sept. 28 at 6 p.m.
Watch a full slideshow of recent informational picketting carried out by RESP members and community supporters.
