 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
Union angles for school workers' pay increase
By BARBARA BEHRENDT © St. Petersburg Times, published May 25, 2001 INVERNESS -- The Teamsters are asking for pay increases and beefed-up benefits for the roughly 400 blue-collar workers they represent in the Citrus public schools. The Teamsters, who represent bus drivers, mechanics, custodians, maintenance and food service workers, presented their initial two-page contract proposal to the school district on Thursday. For workers paid hourly, the proposal included bumping support workers two steps up in pay category. Those who already have reached the top of the scale would instead get $1 an hour raises under the Teamster plan. For bus drivers who have chosen to stick with the old pay plan, the Teamsters are proposing a higher starting base pay, plus a 5 percent pay increase. For all employees represented by the union, Teamster representative Leo Krug said, his team was seeking full payment of the medical insurance premium for those who have single coverage and 75 percent of the premium for family coverage. Time-and-a-half pay was requested for lead bus drivers, trainer drivers and for bus drivers on field trips. Pay differentials of 25 cents per hour were suggested for those who work a regular shift, which begins at noon or later, and 35 cents per hour for those on shifts beginning after midnight. Additional certifications held by bus mechanics should help them earn a higher wage. Vehicle inspector trainers should receive a 5 percent pay increase under the Teamster proposal. The Teamsters also are asking for a daily log system in which drivers and possibly other employees would document their tasks throughout the day, which would be compensated at the regular pay rate. Administrators asked questions about some of the items but had no response on the pay raise issues. Krug also asked for more information on some pay inequities among bus mechanics and suggested that the lead custodians at schools, those who must lock up the facilities each night, should receive 15 cents more an hour. The district's other support workers, including secretaries, aides, clerks and teachers, are represented by the Citrus County Education Association. Bargaining teams for those workers have had several meetings already to negotiate new contracts for the 2001-02 school year, but talks in those cases have stalled on the issue of money. Administrators have said that they don't expect to have good numbers on the amount of state funding Citrus will receive this year until early next month. No date was set for the next meeting with the Teamsters.
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 
|
Citrus Times |
