AVERILL PARK — Averill Park School District Non-Instructional Unit members are enjoying the fruits of their first contract, thanks to a new approach that helped them build workplace power faster — and got many more members actively engaged.
In addition to forming a negotiating team, unit members formed a separate, large contract action team made up of rank-and-file members, who worked closely with the negotiating team to gain wide support from the entire school community and organize around negotiations.
“Even though I am not an officer, I was able to make a huge difference by being on the steering committee (contract action team),” said Christina Wicks, a contract action team member. “We organized solidarity days, talked to teachers, talked to parents, and even made a video that was shown during a board of education meeting. The administration heard us loud and clear, and we got a deal.”
The contract action team formed valuable alliances, building a district-wide coalition that included a unique focus on relationship building with other unions represented at the district.
The video previously mentioned communicated the value and role of our union in maintaining high standards and quality education for the district families.
It was played at negotiations for management, and it was reported to have a powerful, positive influence on the process.
“With this in place and our steering committee (contract action team) having organized the members in all the schools in the district — we even had the support of teachers and parents,” said CSEA Averill Park School
District Unit President Dennis Weatherwax. “We were able to get a deal done in one mediation session because our members came together and took action.”
— Jill Asencio
