- November 28, 2024
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Volusia County Schools has reached an agreement with the union representing the district's transportation, custodial, School Way Café, guardians and maintenance employees.
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 79, Local 850, and the school district reached the agreement after two bargaining sessions.
The agreement includes an average 2% salary increase. To combat salary compression caused by legislation that increases the minimum wage, higher percentages were granted to employees on higher steps on the salary schedule.
“To reach an agreement after two sessions of bargaining is unprecedented and clearly demonstrates a commitment to collaboration and problem solving on both sides,” Superintendent Carmen Balgobin said.
The contract also deleted an article to comply with legislation on payroll deductions for union dues, adjusts of how funds are allocated for bus operator uniforms and eliminates a minimum required number of work hours for bus operators and attendants.
"Settling early will allow employees in our bargaining unit to realize salary increases much earlier than in previous years," AFSCME President Cathy Knowles said.
The next steps include agreement ratification and board approval. Once approved, the pay increase will be retroactive to July 1, 2023.
Volusia United Educators has agreed to begin bargaining on July 31.
