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West Chester Area Education Support Professionals and School Board approve Fact Finders Report
The West Chester Area School District and the West Chester Area Education Support Professionals Association (WCAESPA) have agreed to a report issued by John Skonier, Fact Finder, ending nearly ten months of negotiations. The Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board (PLBR) appointed Skonier.
The board unanimously agreed to the Fact Finder's report at a special meeting on November 7, 2019. The association voted earlier in the week to accept the report which sets the stage for a new collective bargaining agreement between the parties. The fact-finding process allows each party to work through a state-appointed arbitrator to reach a settlement.
The agreement calls for a five-year contract effective July 1, 2019, and concludes on June 30, 2024. The WCAESPA members include secretaries, aides, and technology support personnel.
The first year of the agreement includes a $1000 payment to each of the 266 member bargaining unit. Employees will receive a 2 percent raise in the second, third, and fourth year, and a 3 percent raise in the fifth year of the contract. Health care plans will change in the second year to a High Deductible Plan. Employees will share in the payment of premiums.
“We believe this to be a fair deal for both sides,” said Chris McCune, WCASD School Board President. “The school board appreciates the patience of the support staff as we worked with a fact-finder to find an agreement that was fair to the staff, and remained within the confines of Act 1 limitations for the school board.”
“The Association is excited to move forward,” said Tom Cosgrove, chief negotiator for WCAESPA. “Our association will continue to work alongside the School Board for the mutual benefit of our students, parents and wonderful West Chester community.”
“We are very happy to have reached this agreement with our support staff,” said Dr. James R. Scanlon, District Superintendent. “Our school board recognizes that our support staff are valuable employees making a difference for students, parents, and staff on a daily basis.”
The Fact Finder’s Report will be included in the formal agreement between the Association and School Board as the final five-year agreement. Click here for details about the Fact Finder’s Report.