Please end this madness Still no contract for ESD office personnel after 8 months of bargaining

The Edmonds School District office personnel union has been in negotiations for eight months without securing a new contract, prompting the union to seek state mediation after the district rejected 39 of their 61 proposals. Among the rejected requests were compensation increases and additional time off, despite the district's revenue increase to $426 million for the 2024-2025 school year. The union claims that the estimated cost of their proposals, approximately $37. 7 million, is necessary to address wage disparities and staffing needs. Union members describe their critical roles in supporting schools, stating that they often work overtime to manage their workloads effectively.

Office staff endure high stress and turnover rates, with some reporting health issues due to job demands. The district recently approved cuts to staff in response to a budget deficit, further complicating negotiations. Union negotiators continue to advocate for better working conditions, emphasizing that their contributions often go unnoticed. A district spokesperson confirmed ongoing negotiations in good faith with the union.