The Kenosha Unified School District will have labor peace the next three years. Human Services Director Sharonda Glass approached the teachers’ union about re-opening the current year contract because of rising health care costs, and the two sides came to a deal on that, PLUS a 2-year successor agreement, including pay increases. “Knowing what your costs are going to be over the next couple of years, as it relates to health insurance, is huge,” Glass said.
Both sides accept the WEA Trust for insurance and a yearly premium cap of 9.9%. Savings pay the salary hikes of 2.5% this year, and 3% each of the next 2-years. Teachers will pay higher deductibles. School Board Gilbert Ostman suggested it’s a history-making move. “It’s not been recently that we’ve had three years of relative calm, without any labor unrest and what the raise was going to be and who was going to get laid off,” said Ostman. “I think it’s a deal.”
Teachers Union leader Joe Kiriaki said membership said yes, despite higher deductibles. “Teachers are thrilled to have the opportunity to face all the other challenges that are coming, without conflict, without interference on what’s going to happen with their salary and benefits, and can focus now on what needs to be done day-to-day in these classrooms,” said Kirianki.
Tom Karkow, WRJN