Albion approves contract with school custodians

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 September 2014 at 12:00 am

ALBION – The Board of Education approved a four-year contract with its custodians and maintenance workers on Monday, an agreement that gives the workers 3 percent raises annually but also makes them pay more towards their health insurance.

The workers in the CSEA union had been without a contract since June 30. The workers are cleaners, custodians and maintenance workers. The union members are scheduled to vote on the contract on Sept. 10.

They will see their share of health insurance costs rise from 10 to 15 percent as part of the contract. They also will need more unused sick days to earn healthcare coverage after they retire.

The previous contract required 20 unused sick days to be eligible for a year of health insurance coverage in retirement. The new contract will require 25 unused sick days to earn a year of health insurance. (Retirees pay 15 percent of the health insurance cost.)

The district has its teachers under contract and is trying to reach an agreement with the union representing support staff – aides, building secretaries, physical therapists and registered nurses in the schools. That group has been without a contract for more than two years.