Members of amalgamated UE Local 893 employed by the Adel-DeSoto-Minburn
(ADM) School District entered wage negotiations this year with the district
projecting negative budget growth. Fearing tiny pay raises or a wage
freeze, union members elected a negotiating committee united by determination
to force the school board to find money for respectable wage increases.
These UE members are the school districts teachers
associates, bus drivers, custodians, food service workers and secretaries.
ADM had experienced an enrollment decrease, which drastically
reduced the amount of money for employee wages and benefits. This was the
first year since workers organized that the district did not receive a
$160,000 redistricting supplement from the state of Iowa. These conditions
resulted in projected budget growth of -0.6 percent.
Negotiating directly with the superintendent and the school
board, the unions goals were accomplished in an agreement ratified March
15. The majority of workers will receive a wage increase of 25 cents an hour,
while some who are at the top of the salary scale will receive longevity
bonuses. The cost of the package settlement is approximately 2.5 percent a
solid win in a tough year.
The UE negotiating committee consisted of Shelley Kilker,
Diane Bogardus, Sandy Spooner and Deb Tryon. They were assisted by Field
Org. Don Taylor.
