SEIU Local 500 and the Montgomery County Board of Education ratified a new three-year pact this week that will provide greater career development opportunities, secure health benefits and cost-of-living increases for approximately 8,000 supporting services employees at the county’s public schools.
Employees belonging to the Service Employees International Union Local 500 voted nearly unanimously to approve the agreement in mail-in ballots counted Monday. The Board of Education approved the contract today in a 7-1 vote.
“This agreement is a sign of Montgomery County’s continuing commitment to quality education and our members’ pride and dedication to being a part of it,” said Merle Cuttitta, president of SEIU Local 500.
The contract will be effective on July 1, 2007. Details include:
- Cost-of-living adjustments of 4.8%, 5.0% and 5.3%, respectively, over the three years of the agreement;
- No reduction in health benefits and a second PPO option for employees;
- Creation of a “Career Pathways Program” for support staff;
- Stronger voice in school and office-based decision-making for employees;
- A transparent and fair job bidding system for career opportunities within MCPS.
Supporting services employees represented by SEIU Local 500 include paraeducators,
security personnel, media personnel and bus operators, among other public-education workers.
Visit www.seiu500.org for more information on SEIU Local 500 and the contract agreement.