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School for Blind Children
Staff Choose UE (Twice),
Gain New Contract

PITTSBURGH

    

Teachers and nurses at the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children rally October 16th for a decent contract.   Teachers and nurses at the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children rally October 16th for a decent contract.

Teachers and nurses at the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children rally October 16th for a decent contract. Their independent staff union voted to affiliate with UE in September. The school’s staff reaffirmed that decision with a strong showing in a Labor Board election in October — and went on to win contract improvements.

The teachers and nurses of the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children have high standards. They expect a high level of performance from themselves and each other. Their dedication led the United States Department of Education to recognize the institution’s excellence with a "Blue Ribbon School" designation in 2001.

That same insistence on high standards led them to join UE.

In less than a month, the WPSBC nurses and teachers voted to affiliate their independent staff association with UE, reaffirmed their commitment to UE in a representation election conducted by the National Labor Relations Board and negotiated a contract that provides substantial salary increases.

UNION-EXPERIENCED

The WPSBC staff has more than a quarter century’s experience with unionism. An independent union established in 1974 affiliated four years later with the American Federation of Teachers, becoming PAFT Local 3692.

In the 1980s, the school changed its mission statement to focus on multiple-challenged blind students. The new student population resulted in a change in the staff mix; finding themselves outnumbered, the professional staff approached the PAFT attorney regarding unit clarification. The union attorney said a redefinition of the unit wasn’t possible.

In the 1990s, professional staff organized to be fairly represented. They rejected what they perceived as PAFT misinformation and lack of interest in their concerns. In 1998, WPSBC staff voted to decertify from PAFT Local 3692. Early the following year they formed their own independent union, the WPSBC Professional Staff Association.

The new independent union successfully negotiated a three-year contract in 1999. But with the opening of negotiations for a second contract on May 9, 2001, it became clear to Staff Association members that they faced a fight. The administration proposed a giveback contract, with a half-percent annual salary increase for some employees, increased charges for parking and health care and a longer working day.

TURNING POINT

The contract expired on Sept. 1 without a new settlement in place. On Sept. 14, the union membership voted to reject the school’s proposal — and voted to affiliate with UE, 54 to 4.

UE had been recommended to WPSBC staff as early as 1998 by the association’s attorney, Sanford Kelson. But, says UE Local 613 Pres. Norm Yeargers, "We were reluctant to rejoin a national union after our negative experience with PAFT."

UE was willing to work with the staff association, regardless of that reluctance, Yeargers observes. "(International Representatives) Carol Lambiase, Marion Washington, and (District Six Pres.) John Lambiase spoke to our membership on numerous occasions," he says. "Additionally, UE invited our officers to attend their district meetings."

The school administration and the AFT challenged the affiliation vote, leading to a Labor Board election. The members of new UE Local 613 concentrated on building support for their negotiating committee. On Oct. 18, WPSBC employees voted 46 to 14 to reaffirm their decision to join UE.

UE Intl. Rep. Washington joined negotiations the following weekend for a marathon session that produced a settlement. The Local 613 committee unanimously recommended approval; WPSBC staff ratified the agreement on Nov. 2.

NEW CONTRACT

The three-year contract raises salaries by between 16 and 19 percent, bringing WPSBC teachers and nurses closer to parity with their peers.

The contract upgrades health insurance to include the High Option Dental Insurance plan, increases short-term disability payments and provides for a $10,000 retirement benefit and related benefits. A seniority clause will govern how vacancies are filled permanently. School staff can look forward to free parking in years two and three. The contract contains agency-fee language.

The UE Local 613/WPSBC negotiating committee consisted of Vasu Babu, chairperson; Maura Puglio and Jim Woods, teacher representatives; Meredith Houser, nurse representative;and Local Pres. Yeargers. They were assisted by attorney Sandy Kelson and Intl. Rep. Washington.

UE News - 11/01


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