The Burrell School District reached an agreement on a new contract with its union of custodians, maintenance workers and food service employees that calls for a 70-cent per hour increase.
The contract was ratified by the school board this month. It covers a contract period that began Feb. 1 and ends June 30, 2030, according to Jennifer Callahan, Burrell’s business manager.
The previous contract expired June 30, so members were receiving wages at the 2024-25 wage rate with no increase through Feb. 1, Callahan said. There was no retroactivity for the wage rates or any other part of the contract since it was approved effective Feb. 1.
All employees in the group, however, received a one-time signing bonus of $300 each.
Thirty-six employees are covered by the contract, Callahan said. Health care is provided to full-time employees.
Employees contribute 7% to 16% of the cost this year depending on their plan, Callahan said. In the last year of the contract, employee contributions will increase to 11% to 32% of the cost, depending on their selected plan.
The overall pay increase average per year is 3.3%, Callahan said. Employees at the highest pay rates increase an average of 2.16% per year.
This year, custodian base pay will be $19.70 per hour, up from $19; general maintenance pay will be $24.70, up from $24; and the food service general help pay rate will be $18.20, up from $17.50.
Employees were represented by the SEIU 32BJ.
“We secured a five year contract, with 70-cent annual increases, but significant increases to medical,” said Pete Schmidt, 32BJ Western PA district director. “The contract also includes income protection for cafeteria employees when school goes virtual.”
The contract includes a payout for up to 25 additional unused sick days, which adds up to $500 upon retirement, and an extra $100 for perfect attendance, Schmidt said.
