4-year contract agreement must be ratified by union members and approved by school board
Members of the bargaining teams of Eugene School District 4J and the Oregon School Employees Association have reached a tentative agreement on the issues under negotiation for a new contract. The union represents 4J’s classified staff members, such as educational assistants, custodians, bus drivers, and food service workers.
The bargaining teams used an interest-based bargaining process in these negotiations, which focuses on interests and mutual gains. They met numerous times from February through June 2018, making progress over time, until all issues were resolved.
Contract provisions
Important contract provisions that have been tentatively agreed to include:
• A four-year term, from 2018-19 through 2021-22
• Fair salary increases for every employee:
- 2.2% COLA (cost of living increase) in 2018–19
- 2.0% COLA in 2019–20
- 2.0% COLA in 2020–21
- COLA for 2021–22 to be negotiated in spring 2021
• Increased district contribution to employees’ health insurance
- Increase of $15 per month in 2019–20
- Increase of $10 per month in 2020–21
- Benefits for 2021–22 to be negotiated in spring 2021
• Leave language simplified and updated, including modifications to sick, personal and family leaves
• Enhanced safety committees and districtwide reporting
Next steps
Before the agreement becomes final it must be ratified by the classified association’s membership and approved by the Eugene School Board.
Classified employees will vote on whether to approve the terms and ratify the agreement on September 4, 2018. If union members ratify the agreement, the Eugene School Board will then vote on approval of the agreement at the following board meeting.
