Phoenixville School District Employees Get Raise, Additional Benefits

The Phoenixville Area School District Board of Directors voted 7-0 to ratify the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Phoenixville Area Education Support Personnel Association and the Phoenixville Area Education Support Professionals/PSEA/NEA at the Board Workshop on November 12, 2015.

This five year agreement will be in effect from July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2021. There are approximately 200 full time and part time employees represented by these bargaining units.

The contract allows for a $.50 per hour raise for each year of the contract. Healthcare benefits will now include an annual deductible both for individual and family coverage.

The District will establish a Health Savings Account (HSA) for each eligible employee to offset the cost of the annual deductible. The employees will also be able to voluntarily contribute to their HAS acount.

Both the Union and Board leadership expressed how pleased they were with the negotiation process and the resulting early contract.

“The Phoenixville Educational Support Personnel Association is extremely pleased with the results of our early negotiations,” said PSEA President, Rick Rice, in a statement. “We look forward to focusing on our continuing partnership with the District and serving the needs of our students.

Dan Cushing, PASD Board of Directors President and Mrs. Betsy Ruch, Vice President and Chair of the Negotiating Committee, echoed those sentiments and praised all of the parties involved in the negotiation process.