April 14, 2025

Thank you for rallying yesterday in support of a fair contract!

Last night the School Committee presented their salary proposals for the first time for Units A, C, and D. The Committee has expressed a concern with the low starting salaries in Unit A, as well as the overall low salaries in Units C and D, and explained that they were proposing restructured salary scales for all units in an attempt to begin to remedy these low wages. Their proposals, unfortunately, do the opposite of their expressed intent. Units C and D, instead of a living wage, receive raises of a dollar or less at the top steps, with an average increase of under 4% for each year.  One third of Unit A (over 100 members) would actually be making less (thousands of dollars less, in some cases) under the Committee’s proposal than they would if we simply continued operating under our current salary scale with no increase. We still do not have a salary proposal for Unit B from the School Committee. 

It is unclear what budgeting construct the Committee is using in their explanations of what they believe the town can afford. The number they have provided for the total amount they have budgeted for our salaries has continued to shift. Last session they told us they had $1.23 million for a COLA for all units, this session they told us they have $2.07 million for Units A, C, and D but they have additional funds available for Unit B and would not articulate the amount of those funds.

The bargaining team and the CAT will be visiting members in all buildings to hear your thoughts on these proposals and to learn how you want our union to respond to this salary proposal.