UE Reaches
Second Agreement
With Western
Dubuque Schools
FARLEY, Iowa
Members of UE Local 893/IUP employed by the Western Dubuque School
District have ratified their second contract since organizing into the union in September
1996.
The two-year contract includes wage increases that will average 4.3
percent in each year of the contract, language that will reduce insurance costs in the
year 2000 and beyond and coverage for health and disability insurance for an additional 18
workers.
Western Dubuque workers also gain payment for the costs of required
training, increased reimbursement for required physicals, language which ends favoritism
in the assignment of special bus driving trips, union bulletin boards and other language
improvements.
UE represents 180 bus drivers, cooks, custodians, mechanics, maintenance
workers, para-professionals and secretaries. Iowa’s geographically largest school
district, Western Dubuque encompasses five towns and eight worksites.
The UE negotiating committee consisted of Pres. Dave Lehman, Sec. Wendy
Gansen, Chief Steward Bill Beyers, Steward Don Wohlers, Board Delegate Deb Heisler and
Mary Lou Duggan. They were assisted by UE Field Organizers Sylvia Kelley and Heath Riemer.
