Language and Benefit Gains
For Local 895, Perry School
Support Staff Association
PERRY, Iowa
Members of UE Local 895 ratified a voluntary agreement on April 26, 2002. In a difficult year for Iowa school districts,
the Perry School System had actually spent all of its reserve funds and gone into debt. With little money available, union members
demanded and gained significant improvements in contract benefits.
Notice of vacancies will be more widely posted for transfer, grandchildren have been added to family illness leave, and
bus drivers will be paid separately for unscheduled meetings.
Catastrophic leave will be available for workers whose spouse or child has a life threatening illness or has been involved
in a life-threatening accident, allowing workers to take up to 40 days of sick leave. On days when school is dismissed early or started
late (usually snow days), workers will be paid for their regularly scheduled hours and will be able to leave early or come in late.
Employees eligible for insurance who are covered by a spouse’s or other policy will be able to take $220 per month in a
tax-sheltered annuity instead of insurance. Wage and insurance increases equaled 3.3 percent.
Members of the negotiating committee were Local 895 Pres. Kathy Miner, Treas. Bill Clausen, Sec. Diane
Miner, Sue Whiton, Chuck Peterson, Lisa Schulte and Pam Fantauzzi. They were assisted by Field Organizer Jennifer
Marsh.
UE News - 6/02
