November 21, 2017
For Immediate Release
CONTACT:
Office of Communications
301-952-6001
communications@pgcps.org
Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) with approval by the Board of Education reached a two-year contract agreement with the Prince George’s County Educators’ Association (PGCEA) and a one-year agreement with ACE/AFSCME Local 2250, which represents school support staff.
The agreements with both bargaining units total more than $70 million and represents one of the school system’s largest investments in educators and support staff in many years.
“When we show our employees that we value them, they are more engaged and passionate about their work,” said Dr. Kevin M. Maxwell, Chief Executive Officer.
Board of Education Chair Dr. Segun C. Eubanks added, “It is important for our employees to know their work makes a positive difference in the lives of our students and their families and that we are committed to investing in their success.”
The CEO recommended and the Board of Education authorized a two-year agreement with PGCEA that includes:
“PGCEA’s 10,000 members are pleased that we are moving two steps in the right direction in the two-year contract,” said PGCEA President Theresa Mitchell Dudley. “The interest-based bargaining method allowed us to address working condition issues by establishing permanent work committees and rewriting old language to keep up with changes in technology. Our diverse negotiations team worked tirelessly for nine months in the best interests of our members. We look forward to the work group established to address the best methods to move members to their appropriate compensation steps as we continue to invest in the future of our children and reduce educator turnover.”
The PGCEA agreement also includes a 3 percent retirement incentive notice, contingent on repackaging existing stipends/differentials.
The one-year agreement with Local 2250 provides a step improvement effective January 1, 2018 for eligible employees and a $1,100 one-time bonus for employees not eligible for a step.
“ACE-AFSCME Local 2250 appreciates the administration showing their respect for thousands of hardworking PGCPS education support professionals by agreeing to a long overdue step increase to all eligible employees and a bonus to those not seeing a monetary increase from the step increase in fiscal year 2018,” said Local 2250 Administrator Jim Cullen. “This is a fair agreement, overwhelmingly ratified by Local 2250 members. We look forward maintaining this positive spirit as we continue discussions about further progress.”
Local 2250 represents paraprofessionals, bus drivers, cafeteria and custodial workers, school nurses, language interpreters and other school support staff.
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