School District 130 Workers Ratify New Contract, Winning Sizable Gains

On Friday, June 9, SEIU Local 73 members gathered at Veterans Memorial Middle School in Blue Island, IL, and voted overwhelmingly to ratify a new contract with the Board of Education of Cook County School District 130. The new contract was months in the making, and featured intense discussions with union members feeling disappointed in the lack of respect and safety they felt in the workplace. But union members unified and persevered, and were able to work out a favorable deal with management that they feel is a massive step forward.

Some of the top lines of the new agreement include:

• $2.50 raise in the first year, retroactive to July 1, 2022
  • 3% raise in the second and third years
• Coverage pay that includes the hourly rate of the worker’s position in addition to the hourly rate of the position being covered
• No requirements to take school-provided cell phone home
• Juneteenth and Election Day as paid holidays
• New minimums for every job

“There’s immense pride that comes with us coming together in this fight for workplace justice. After years of fighting for wage increases that reflect the hard work we do, we are happy to have come to an agreement that recognizes that,” says Luz Leon, Custodian and bargaining team member.