Some parents in California may not consider how their children’s teachers and other school staff are compensated. Most school districts have employment contracts with unions that represent teachers and staff who are members. It is the responsibility of those unions to negotiate with school districts on behalf of its members regarding their compensation.

One California school district recently came to an agreement with the union representing its classified employees. The agreement will last three years and includes health benefits and salary increases. In some cases, employees will no longer have to pay healthcare premiums while others will pay significantly less than in the past. This change will mostly apply to coverage for one or two people. Raises ranging from 1.56 percent up to 2.20 percent will be given from Jan. 2014 through July 2015.

The negotiations were not without their difficulties. At one point, nearly 200 of the district’s staff and teachers attended a board meeting. They were there to complain about previously proposed increases in healthcare premiums, which upset the group. However, the agreement reached now only needs approval from both the union and the district. The union was scheduled to vote on the contract on Nov. 15 while the district was planning to conduct its voting on Nov. 18.

Health insurance and employment compensation are often the two most negotiated items in employment contracts. There are numerous other benefits that may be addressed, but these items tend to lead the pack. With the upcoming legislative changes in healthcare in Jan. 2014, more California companies could see healthcare overtaking all other issues as the primary topic of discussion for the negotiating table.

Source: Imperial Beach, CA Patch, Sweetwater, Employees Union Reach Three-Year Tentative Agreement, Christine Huard, Nov. 6, 2013