MPEA’s Bozeman School District Chapter has ratified a one-year contract according to MPEA Field Representative Bob Chatriand, principal negotiator.
The school district contract was ratified June 7 and provides for a 3 percent pay increase with part coming from step movement and part from an increase in bases pay. Chatriand explained that Bozeman School District employees in their first 11 years of employment receive 2 percent steps and after that 1 percent. So the base pay increases amounted to 1 percent for those in their first 11 years and 2 percent for those over. Steps are received on the worker’s anniversary date---date of hire.
The negotiating team included Theresa Michalson, Joe Espinoza, Byron Rodgers and Lisa Sheehan.

MPEA’s Target Range School District Chapter ratified a two-year agreement May 31, according to MPEA’s Missoula area representative Jeff Howe.

In the first year, employees will receive a $500 stipend in their September 2011 paycheck and in the second year they will receive a $600 stipend in September 2012. Howe said the agreement lets employees chose to take the money or to put it into their Health Savings Account.

Howe said that the agreement includes a first time ever pay matrix that provides employees with a 3 percent increase every three years. “These increases will be in place in addition to any percentage increase that may be negotiated in the future.”

Howe also noted that there will be no change in the employer’s contribution for health insurance which now amounts to $508.95 per month for single coverage, $873.40 for two-party coverage and $1105.27 per month for family coverage.

Negotiating with Howe were Zonda Berry, Janiece Dahlseid and Belva Bertsdfeld.
06/08/11