The union is demanding higher wages and adequate training programs, calling the terms of the current contract “unacceptable”.
John Bynum, the union’s assistant district leader, said the school district has not trained its teachers to de-escalate serious situations in schools, including active shooter training.
“The School District of Philadelphia needs to respect us, protect us and pay us living wages. The bus drivers, cleaners and those who kept our schools open during the pandemic were called essential, now it’s time to reflect that in a fair contract for School District of Philadelphia workers,” Bynum said.
Larisa Shambaugh, director of talent for the School District of Philadelphia, said she hopes they can work out a fair contract that “values and supports our employees.”
“We deeply appreciate the work of our staff represented by 32BJ SEIU District 1201,” Shambaugh said in a statement. “We continue to be actively engaged in conversations and negotiations to secure a new contract as soon as possible without disrupting in-person learning for the start of the 2022-2023 school year.”
The workers included in the contract are mainly bus drivers, bus attendants, bus mechanics, building cleaners, building mechanics and trade workers.
Workers agreed to pay cuts and mandatory weekly contributions from their wages to help fund the school district’s budget, keeping children in school and saving thousands from unemployment due to school closings, according to the union’s press release.
“SEIU 32BJ members have demonstrated their commitment to Philadelphia Public Schools through the financial crisis and a global pandemic. They are simply asking for pay and training that honors their commitment to PSD and is in line with other union members across the city of Philadelphia.” the press release said.
