Niles secretaries take 2.5 percent pay cut

NILES, Mich. — Secretaries in Niles Community Schools have agreed to a new contract that includes a 2.5 percent pay cut, according to the Niles Daily Star. The deal should save the district around $70,000 a year.

The secretaries received a signing bonus and will use the same insurance plan as the district’s administrators, the Star reported. The secretaries had been working without a contract since June 2009.

Superintendent Richard Weigel told the Star he appreciated the secretaries’ willingness to help avoid future financial issues.  According to Weigel, the district is currently facing a deficit for the 2013-14 school year unless changes are made.  Administrators have taken an 8 percent pay cut and the district is seeking a similar cut in current contract negotiations with teachers.

“The key to our work together and quick ratification of the contract was to come together without outside interference and talk to each other without the normal competitive bargaining tactics,” Weigel told the Star.

According to the Star, negotiations took place without a negotiator from the Michigan Education Association at the request of the secretaries union.

SOURCE:

The Niles Daily Star, “Niles school secretaries take pay cut,” Jan. 26, 2012

FURTHER READING:

Michigan Capitol Confidential, “Michigan Teacher Pay 16.5 Percent Higher Than Indiana,” Dec. 2, 2010