D181, HESS Approve New Four-Year Contract

On Monday, Dec. 10, 2018, the Community Consolidated School District 181 Board of Education unanimously approved a four-year contract with the Hinsdale Educational Support Staff (HESS) (Vote: 7-0; Absent: None).

“Our support staff ensures that D181 schools are welcoming, positive environments for students to learn and grow,” said D181 Board President Jennifer Burns. “This contract reflects our respect and appreciation for the professionalism of HESS staff and the high-quality learning environment they help to create in all of our schools, for all of our students.”

“HESS is very pleased that after long negotiations a contract settlement has been reached,” said Lorna Galandak, President of HESS. “HESS would like to thank their membership for their support during negotiations, as well as the federal mediator who assisted throughout the process. We look forward to continuing to put kids first.”

HESS and District representatives had multiple planning meetings to discuss contract language before beginning formal negotiation meetings in May. Since May, the HESS-D181 team spent over 40 hours in negotiations, endeavoring to develop a compensation package that recognized the valuable work of staff while being mindful of the economic challenges facing the District.

The new agreement is effective July 1, 2018, through June 30, 2022. Structural changes to health insurance benefits and retirement compensation address concerns about the long-term financial health of the District. Specifically, the new agreement includes 3.5% annual raises for current HESS members and increases of 1.75% on starting salaries while limiting retirement and pension liability. Although the employee share of insurance premiums increased, the rate remained affordable and the District is able to continue to offer employees not only high-quality health care insurance but also a choice of coverage plans.

Both parties are very pleased that the goals of honoring the value of HESS employees and ensuring financial sustainability were met.