Volusia County Schools and AFSCME reach agreement on trade worker salaries.

Written by Kristen Schmutz

Belden Communications News

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 79, Local 850 (AFSCME) - which represents the trades workers, including transportation, custodial, School Way Café, guardians, and maintenance employees - and Volusia County Schools have come to a mutual agreement on an average of a 2% salary increase for employees following two productive bargaining sessions.

According to a release, employees on higher steps on the salary schedule will receive a higher percentage to combat salary compression issues resulting from the increased minimum wage legislation.

Upon ratification, full details of the agreement will be made available.

“To reach an agreement after two sessions of bargaining is unprecedented and clearly demonstrates a commitment to collaboration and problem solving on both sides,” Superintendent Dr. Carmen Balgobin praised. “I am grateful to both bargaining teams and thankful that employees will be able to see the benefits of this work early in the year. I am proud that Ms. Workman and Ms. Knowles led the teams respectfully, resulting in a positive outcome for our employees.”  

Apart from the salary increase, the agreement brought about additional changes to the contract language, including deleting an article to comply with current legislation on payroll deductions for union dues. Furthermore, there were some adjustments to the allocated funds for bus operator uniforms and the removal of the required minimum number of work hours for bus operators and attendants.

“I would like to thank my bargaining team and the district team for working together to reach a fair agreement. Settling early allows employees in our bargaining unit to realize salary increases much earlier than in previous years," said AFSCME President Cathy Knowles

Procedures will be shared as soon as possible, as the agreement still needs to be ratified and approved by the board. Once approved, the pay increase will be retroactive to July 1, 2023.

Volusia United Educators has agreed to begin bargaining on July 31, 2023, and updates will be available as provided for instructional, support, and non-bargaining employees.