$3.9M Wage Hike On The Table For Neshaminy Schools Support Staff

LANGHORNE, PA —A tentative five-year agreement with the Neshaminy Educational Support Professional Association will go before the school board for a vote.

The Neshaminy School Board will consider ratifying the agreement at its meeting next Tuesday, Jan. 24.

NESPA membership had approved the agreement at its Jan. 6 meeting.

The previous contract expired on June 30. If approved, the new contract would become retroactively effective from July 1, and expire on June 30, 2027.

School officials said the annual wage increases would cost the district $3.9 million over the five-year agreement.

The agreement covers around 500 Neshaminy positions such as instructional, hallway, playground, and cafeteria aides; bus drivers; food service workers; custodians; maintenance and grounds; technology services and clerical staff.

Terms of the tentative 2022-2027 contract include:

• The five-year agreement would begin retroactively from July 1 through June 30, 2027.
• The District reserves the right to outsource 140 positions (as compared to 98 in the previous agreement). There are no restrictions as to what positions can be outsourced.
• All full-time employees are eligible for medical, prescription, and dental insurance
• upon being hired.
• There is no longer a four-year waiting period for 100 percent of benefits, including sick
• days, personal days, holidays, and vacation days.

In terms of health insurance, spousal coverage would be provided only to a spouse who shows certification annually that he or she is not entitled to coverage elsewhere. If a spouse is not eligible to be on the District’s plans, but wishes to remain on the plan, they may do so for an additional $50 charge per month.

During any period when disability payments are paid under either short-term or long-term disability plans, no sick leave, workers comp, or other forms of paid leave or paid benefits shall be due.

The following are wage increases under the new agreement:

• Year 1 – All employees get a 4 percent salary increase. The minimum Food Service wage
• will be raised to $14.50 per hour.
• Year 2 – Grandfathered employees, 3.4 percent increase; new employees 3.6 percent increase.
• Ten employees will move from “new” to “grandfathered” (higher pay scale) status. The minimum Food Service wage will be raised to $15.10 per hour.
• Year 3 - Grandfathered employees, 3.4 percent wage increase; new employees, 3.6 percent increase. Ten additional employees will move from “new” to “grandfathered” status.
• Year 4 - Grandfathered employees 3.5 percent wage increase; new employees 3.7 percent increase. Ten additional employees will move from “new” to “grandfathered” status.
• Year 5 - Grandfathered 3.15 percent wage increase; new employees 3.3 percent increase.
• Twenty additional employees move from “new” to “grandfathered” status.
• In addition, about 250 employees will receive additional paid holiday and/or vacation time.

The estimated yearly cost increase of the new agreement to the district is as follows:

• Year 1: $791,000
• Year 2: $700,000
• Year 3: $761,000
• Year 4: $795,000
• Year 5: $841,000