NESPA NEGOTIATIONS STARTED FRIDAY!
TOGETHER, We Are RESPECTED
and VALUED Essential School Professionals!
Northshore’s 460 Educational Support Professionals—NESPA-- started contract negotiations for a new contract on Friday, April 16.
Why should you care? What is this all about?
Northshore’s employment model for educational support relies on low pay; a “20 hour per week ceiling” for almost half of us; no benefits for almost half of us; and a lack of job security for the many of us whose jobs or hours are called “School Year Only”---casual labor. It’s outdated. And it’s wrong.
This employment model may have made sense in the 60’s and 70’s when this work might have been a way for moms to pick up a few extra bucks-- when dad was the wage earner, and women had few opportunities. Today, the majority of us are either the primary providers or provide essential---not only supplemental—income for our families. One in five of us work a second job. Half of us have a BA degree or higher, and 90% of us have some college.
Today, this model is a relic of the past. It’s no longer acceptable to us. And it should not be acceptable to you. We want to work with the administration and School Board to change this employment model to one that fits the times.
“Our pay is not enough to live on. It’s not enough to enable our families to make ends meet. Ninety % of us earn $13.96 up to $17.44 per hour in our 15th year. Northshore’s lowest paid custodians start at $1 higher. Our bus drivers make over $4 more to start. And school office substitutes start at over $2.50 more. In Seattle, paraeducators make over $24 per hour by their 9th year. Nurses in other districts are paid as teachers, but we get $24 to $29.50 per hour. It’s not right.” Marge Mitchell, NESPA’s Co-President, and Northshore’s Truancy Specialist
“The ‘20 hour ceiling’ is unfair and needs to end. We love our jobs and our students. We’re proud of our work. I need to work many more hours, and have medical benefits, but like hundreds of us, I’m limited to 20 hours per week forever. My family is buying our own medical insurance, which is like making another house payment. We want to be valued, and we deserve it!” Joanne McDaniel, Learning Assistance Program Paraeducator at Maywood Hills, and on the NESPA Bargaining Team
“Many of us have little job security. Our Special Education hours fluctuate. Those who are One-on-One Paraeducators are expected to be happy about getting terminated when they’re successful at getting the student to be independent. Many School Assistants have no idea how many hours they’ll have next year---though they know that it’s going to be too few to generate enough income.” Sharon Maynard, Special Ed Paraeducator at Bear Creek, and on the NESPA Bargaining Team
“We are ALL essential school professionals. These contract negotiations are an opportunity for everyone in Northshore---NESPA members, teachers, other school employees, the School Board, and the administration—to come together to create a transition to an employment model that Northshore can be proud of.” Deb Murphy, NESPA Co-President and Woodin Nurse
TOGETHER,
HERE’S HOW YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE:
· Please wear a button every day to show your support. EVERY DAY.
· Post a sign at the entrance to your work area.
· Sign our petition.
· Join us at the School Board Meeting on Tues, May 11, 4-5 PM.
