Southern Columbia has new non-teaching contract; employee not happy with 'layover' rate

by justin strawser (staff writerjustin_s@newsitem.com)
Published: March 16, 2010

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CATAWISSA RR - The collective bargaining agreement between the Southern Columbia Area School District and the non-instructional district staff union was approved Monday night at the school board meeting, leaving one district employee with a bad taste in his mouth.

"I know you negotiated with the union, but the vast majority don't agree with what is going on," said Derek Stein, assistant mechanic for the district.

Although it doesn't apply to his position, Stein said he disagrees with the district's policy of a layover rate for district bus drivers on class trips and sports games outside their normal duties.

According to the new agreement between the district and Council 86 American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employes AFL-CIO and Local 1864, drivers would receive their hourly rate for the drive to and from a destination. During the waiting period, drivers would receive a flat rate of $8 an hour. In the previous agreement, drivers would receive their hourly rate for all parts of the trip.

"You would not expect a teacher on a class trip to make less money for that day. You wouldn't expect Mr. (Superintendent Charlie) Reh or another administrator to make less money going to a conference," said Stein.

The agreement, effective retroactive to July 1, 2009, through June 30, 2012, will bring the minimum hourly rate for district's non-instructional employees to $9. The majority of employees will receive a 50-cent raise. Bus drivers will receive a 25-cent raise and instructional aides will receive an 80-cent raise in year one and a 50-cent raise per year in year two and three.

Other changes to the agreement included adding a 12-month secretary to each office in the elementary, middle and high schools; reimbursing CDL licenses in the matter of the cost divided for the number of years they are in agreement for; vacation time for the maintenance and custodial staff; and a drug and alcohol testing policy.

The motion to accept the agreement passed 5-3 with Directors Timothy Vought, Michael Yeager and Eric Stahley voting against the motion. Director Jennifer Oiler-Shoup abstained.

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