District 202 Approves Contract with PASS

PLAINFIELD, IL — District 202 has approved a three-year contract with the Plainfield Association of Support Staff.

The District 202 Board of Education approved the new pact at its Nov. 7 regular meeting. PASS members ratified the new contract on Oct. 26.

Most District 202 support staff employees will get raises averaging 2.5 percent this year as part of the contract. The new pact is retroactive to July 1, 2016. Raises will be implemented no later than Dec. 23. Raises will increase an average of 2.25 each year for the second and third years.

Among other changes, the percentage of benefits premiums for current PASS employees will not increase as part of this contract. Also, a new joint safety committee will be formed to monitor working conditions and recommend safety improvements.

“We are happy we were able to work out a mutually beneficial agreement with our support staff, who work very hard every day to keep our facilities in excellent condition,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Lane Abrell in a news release.

PASS this year represents about 970 non-certified staff including custodians, grounds and maintenance workers, special education teaching assistants, school nurses and most secretaries.

PASS President Marty Paczkowski said he thought the contract was a good deal for everybody involved.

"Of course, we had a situation with the custodians, which was a separate issue, but all-in-all, we feel it was a fair deal for everyone," Paczkowski said.

Paczkowski said he wanted to thank the people of Plainfield for their support during the custodial situation.

"Like signing the petitions and support in the St. Patrick's Day parade," he said. "When you've got people actually cheering for you that you don't even know, that was pretty awesome."

He also thanked former PASS President John Piechocinski for all his involvement.

"He's done it for a long time and he deserves a lot of credit."

District administration estimates that total salaries and benefits for PASS employees will actually decrease this year by about $1.86 million because of custodial staff reductions made this past spring.

However, PASS-related salaries and benefits are expected to increase by about $781,000 in 2017-18, and by about $1.013 million in 2018-19.

PASS and District 202 agreed to a one-year contract in December 2015, retroactive to July 1, 2015. Negotiations for a new contract started in March 2016.

photo via Plainfield School District 202