When the Washington Township Schools Supportive Services Personnel Association (WTSSSPA) negotiations team approached bargaining a new contract in 2023, they knew the effort was going to be an uphill climb. They fought outsourcing and funding cuts during previous rounds, but they had no idea how large the mountain of misinformation, unfair labor charges and ethics violations would upend the process. In response, WTSSSPA mobilized their members, colleagues and community to overcome and persevere. Their efforts led to a five-year contract, incorporating historic salary increases along with important job protections which will benefit WTSSSPA now and for the future.
Thwarting the negotiations process was a superintendent who actively campaigned on privatizing cafeteria workers and paraprofessionals and used public meetings to spread misinformation in an attempt to scapegoat his illegal efforts to subcontract the staff out to external vendors.
UniServ Field Representative Lou Randazzo described the superintendent and board of education’s efforts to privatize as toxic, noting that the association’s efforts were “more important than the settlement itself” because, without their phenomenal organizing, “there would have been no settlement at all, let alone such a lucrative one.”
When negotiations stalled, WTSSSPA built an extraordinary community-organizing effort, particularly focused on board of education elections. During the fall of 2023, WTSSSPA held two “Meet the Candidates Nights” which included two recruited candidates, a current NJEA member in higher education and a retired UniServ consultant.
Even amid a public smear campaign of the candidates and association by the superintendent, WTSSSPA’s strategy and tenacity directly led to the successful election of new board of education members, the filing of ethics charges—which led to a five-month leave of absence for the superintendent—and a distinct shift in the dynamics of their negotiations effort, where the detrimental impacts of subcontracting could be discussed and deliberated openly and honestly without the negative and vitriolic influence of the superintendent.
In addition, WTSSSPA organized their members and school community to attend board of education meetings, many of which lasted into the early morning, where hours of public testimony shined a light on the importance and commitment of WTSSSPA to their schools and students.
In March of 2024, amid chaos and confusion caused by the superintendent and his supporters, the association reached a deal before the expiration of their contract and right before the 90-day requirement of intention to outsource. While WTSSSPA and NJEA educated the board who sat at the table with them and signed the MOA, the contract narrowly passed the full Board of Education on a 5-4 decision. Randazzo stated, “without flipping the board, the ratification would not have occurred.”
“…hours of public testimony shined a light on the importance and commitment of WTSSSPA to their schools and students.”
The financial highlights of the agreement included an overall salary increase settlement of 13.09%, dwarfing the county average of 3.56%. Significant gains were seen by the district’s paraprofessionals, often referred to as classroom assistants. WTSSSPA secured an additional $1.1 million, resulting in a 25.9% raise in year one of the agreement. For the lowest earners on step one of the guide, hourly rates moved from $15.85 to $19, an increase of 19.78%. Those at the penultimate step received a 38.08% increase, moving from $17.38 to $24 per hour.
Additionally, the custodians and maintenance staff received a 5% raise in the first year of the contract. In the second year, all groups received 4%, with 3.5% in years three and four. Furthermore, several of the salary guides were compressed by removing steps to allow members to reach their maximum salary earlier, thereby reducing the increment costs for the association at a faster level.
Former WTSSSPA presidents, Angela Terruso and Chrissy Kosar, voiced how a support staff contract must extend beyond salaries; it also serves as a pathway to the safety, respect and professional recognition of all the members the contract serves.
Terruso commented how with each round of negotiations, WTSSSPA faces privatization threats and other barriers confronting their recognition as professional members of the community, stating, “Each contract is a step forward to make sure our members are protected and taken care of, financially and professionally.”
Kosar continued that, “While the salaries are important, the contract also requires the district to supply the necessary safety equipment and cover certification costs so our staff can focus their time and resources on the students.”
The current agreement expanded and codified the safety equipment that the district must now provide for the staff including smocks, bite guards, arm pads and shin guards for the paraprofessionals. Additionally, the district will now provide full reimbursement for assistants to acquire and maintain Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) certification.
Other notable improvements include language which provides for association involvement in future superintendent searches along with regularly scheduled liaison committees with the superintendent where minutes will be shared with the board of education.
Kosar emphasized the importance of memorializing such items in support staff contracts. “It guarantees WTSSSPA has a seat at the table to ensure our members’ interests are accurately shared and informed regarding the important issues affecting our staff and students,” Kosar stated. “It is vital that our board and administration hear directly from our association regarding the impacts of their budgetary and administrative decisions.”
The negotiations team included WTSSSPA leadership, along with representation from across the bargaining unit. In addition to Terruso, a specialized assistant, Patty Culin, vice president, represented specialized assistants; former treasurer and current WTSSSPA president, Marianne Muller, represented assistants and Secretary Sissy Malone represented food service.
In addition, Lynn Allmendinger (representing bus drivers), Jay Indriso (custodians) and Mark Carcillo (maintenance) joined the team. The association also represents IT staff, clerical assistants, bus maintenance, instructional coaches, security, special education support staff, health assistants, Basic Skills Instruction assistants and cafeteria assistants. Together, the team comprised over 100 years of service to the district. The team was represented by UniServ Field Representative Lou Randazzo, assisted by Greg Yordy, NJEA Associate Director of Research.
While the negotiations proved successful, WTSSSPA continues their fight to preserve their members’ jobs amid the budgetary hurdles surrounding their district and community.
“Our support staff are consistently attacked with threats of subcontracting and nonrenewals, yet our members are the ones with direct contact with the children of our community. We hold their hands, change their diapers, serve them, love them, educate them, transport them, clean up after them and keep them safe and happy,” Terruso stated. Current WTSSSPA president Marianne Muller echoed the sentiment, “We must work for strong settlements that favor all members and remove the threat of privatization for our members for at least the next four years.”
Kosar furthered, “It is more important than ever to have WTSSSPA at the table advocating for those staff who directly contribute to our children’s growth and success. Our contract may be settled, but the fight is far from over.”