Kalispell schools, classified union sign contract
The Kalispell Federation of Classified Personnel and Kalispell Public Schools have reached a three-year contract agreement.
The contract, which runs through June 30, 2015, affects approximately 100 school district employees, including secretaries, bookkeepers, assistants, clerks, office managers and food-service workers.
The new contract includes a wage increase each year. This year classified employees will receive a 50-cent per hour increase. Employees at the top of the pay scale receive a longevity raise of 15 cents per hour.
For 2013 through 2014, staff will receive a 20-cent per hour raise, or a 20-cent longevity increase. District Human Resources Director Karen Glasser said it has been many years since longevity was increased.
For 2014 through 2015 staff will get a 15-cent increase, while the longevity amount remains at 20 cents.
The district increased its health insurance contribution $7 per month for each employee, for a total of $525 paid monthly by the district.
Other changes in the new contract included clarifications in language to bring the contract up to date with current practices and align with federal law, Glasser said. Previously, classified staff received overtime for working beyond eight hours a day. Now overtime is paid to employees who work in excess of 40 hours per work week.
Additionally, a family sick leave benefit from the previous contract was eliminated. Family sick days used to be five non-cumulative paid days granted to employees with sick family members in addition to regularly allotted sick days.
High school career center secretaries were moved up in the pay scale and high school principal support office managers were removed from the classified union due to increased job duties.
Negotiations began last May. When an agreement wasn’t reached by July the classified union’s contract reverted to the 2011-12 contract, which included a pay freeze. Retroactive wages and health insurance are scheduled to be paid by March 10.
Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.