Target Range Chapter Ratifies 5 Percent Pay Increase

    MPEA’s Target Range School District Chapter ratified a one-year contract Dec. 6, according to Missoula Area Representative Jeff Howe. There are 16 MPEA members in this chapter.

    Howe said the ratified contract provides a 5 percent increase in base pay retroactive to July 1. Another change provides members with the day after Christmas and the day after New Year’s Day off.

    Working with Howe in the development of this contract were team members Bruce Swanson and Zonda Berry.

updated 12/07/07

 Great Falls School Chapter Ratifies Contract with Significant Improvements

    A two-year contract was ratified by members of MPEA’s Great Falls School District Chapter at a Sept. 26 on-site election.

    The agreement provides for a 3.8 percent across-the-board wage increase in the first year of the contract and a 4 percent increase to the current matrix July 1, 2008, the beginning of the second year of the contract. The wage increase in the first year is to be retroactive to July 1, 2007, according to MPEA Field Services Director Dick Letang, principal negotiator.

    In the area of health insurance, the district’s contribution is to increase to $341.32 per month, an increase of $15.32 per month. In the second year, the premiums paid during the 2006-2007 school year will serve as a “cap” or a maximum obligation of the school district until the out-of-pocket cost to the employee exceeds 7 percent. Then, the district will pay the next 7 percent. Any cost beyond a 14 percent increase will be equally divided between the district and the employees, according to Letang.

    Bereavement leave will no longer be deducted from sick leave. Instead up to five days will be allowed for each bereavement which will now become a new leave category.

    Also, there is to be one additional personal day, for a total of two, for those working 2080 hours; employees working 10 months will continue to have one day.

updated 11/28/07

Bozeman School Unit Secures Three Year Contract

    A three-year contract has been ratified by MPEA’s Bozeman School District chapter and was approved by the school board Sept. 11.

    In addition to wage and health insurance increases, the new contract provides for a hybrid union security provision that will ensure, over time, that covered employees will be paying dues or a representation fee to MPEA. Currently this 80-member unit is carrying the representation costs for a chapter with over 200 employees. Some equity was sought by bargaining team members.

    The new language will have all those not participating as active paying members unless they notified the human resource office by Sept. 10 that they declined to participate. MPEA Field Service Representative Mark Langdorf anticipates an additional 50 members in the immediate future and eventual participation by all.

    The agreed upon wage package includes a 3.6 percent increase in pay in the first year of the contract, which is retroactive to July 1, and a 1.6 percent increase in health insurance contribution in the first year. The total compensation increase in the first year was 5.2 percent and that included the cost of a step. Langdorf said the pay matrix for the Bozeman School District unit has 30 steps.

    In the second year, a 30 cent an hour across-the-board pay increase was negotiated. The step in the second year is to be in addition to the 30 cent per hour raise.

    And, in the third year the pay increase will consist of a cost of living adjustment, as measured by the consumer price index (CPI-U, Kansas City), and an across-the-board increase of 1 percent.

    Langdorf said the district has a self-funded health insurance program and that MPEA participates on the committee which determines benefits and premiums. Members will receive the same increases in health insurance contributions as teachers, according to Langdorf.

    The new contract also distinguishes between personal leave time and vacation time.

    Members working with Langdorf included: Robert Butts, Dorie Heimbigner, Connie McCormick, Therese Michalson, Marlene Montgomery and Bryon Rogers.

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