Philly’s school bus drivers, cleaners and maintenance workers have a new contract
32BJ had asked for raises for its 2,000 members — bus drivers, cleaners, building engineers, and tradespeople. Members will vote to ratify the deal in the next two weeks.
The people who drive Philadelphia School District buses and clean and maintain its buildings have a tentative contract.
The district and negotiating team from 32BJ SEIU District 1201, which represents 2,000 workers, reached a deal right at the wire: 32BJ’s old contract was set to expired Monday at 11:59 p.m.
Officials declined to disclose the terms of the deal, but 32BJ was making no secret of its asks. The big one was more money for its workers, who are among the lowest paid in the district.
Members’ current pay scale ranges from bus attendants, who are paid $30,762 annually under the existing contract, to building engineers, whose pay rate starts at $51,155 and tops out at $77,832. The union’s best-paid employees are building construction workers, whose salary maxes out at $77,832.
Tradespeople — bricklayers, HVAC mechanics, electrical mechanics, plumbers, and roofers — are paid $62,899 at the top of the pay scale.
“We went into this looking for an agreement that reflects the hard work, dedication, and importance of our 2000 members covered under this agreement, and we believe this deal does that,” Tim Finucan, 32BJ SEIU state director, said in a statement. “We appreciate the strong relationship we have with the Philadelphia School District, and our shared commitment to providing family-sustaining wages, healthcare, and a ladder of opportunity within the district.”
Union officials said membership will meet in the next two weeks to learn about and vote on the deal.
In addition to higher pay, 32BJ was asking for a clearer path to job advancement, and ways to work with the school system to fill vacant jobs. The district often struggles to find qualified engineers and trades workers.
Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. said in a statement that he was “pleased to have reached a tentative agreement with our 32BJ SEIU Philadelphia school workers that recognizes the essential contributions of these dedicated professionals. Every day, our staff helps to safely transport our students and create the safe, welcoming, and supportive environments our students need to learn and thrive.”
