Mat-Su Classified Employees to go back to the table with school board following arbitration report

While the Matanuska Susitna Borough School District (MSBSD) reached an agreement with the Mat-Su Education Association, the union that represents the teachers in the MSBSD, and averted a possible strike, the school district has not yet reached an agreement with the Mat-Su Classified Employees’ Association (CEA), which represents over 700 members, including education support professionals.

The CEA has been in arbitration with the school district, and last week, the CEA received the Arbitration report related to ongoing negotiations with the MSBSD.

According to a press release from the CEA, the CEA does not totally agree with some of the decisions by the Arbitrator. However, the union did state that they do agree that it is in the best interest of students, educators, and the public to settle this contract.

“Rising costs have devastated educators,” said Rick Morgan, President of CEA. “Our District is not keeping up with the market when it comes to wages and benefits, we have persistent vacancies in our schools, and students see that. If MSBSD does not offer competitive salary and benefits, the problem will continue to get worse and next year we may not have the staff we need to meet students’ needs.”

Similar to the issues the teachers had with the contract that was ultimately imposed by the district, health insurance emerged as the major theme at the arbitration. The CEA had stated that they wanted to keep their current healthcare provider, Public Education Health Trust (PEHT). They would also like to see wage increases to match the rising costs due to inflation.

Some key takeaways from the Arbitration Report included that the Arbitrator sides with CEA staying with the current health care provider and, recognizing the huge cost of healthcare, also advised that a team be established of administration and CEA to work out a future health care solution.

The Arbitrator presented his own wage increase suggestions for FY23 .75 per hour; for FY24 3% per hour; and for FY25 3% per hour

“Support staff pay has not kept up with the cost of living in the Mat-Su,” said Morgan, adding, “What keeps many of us working for MSBSD is the health insurance, and if the district forces us to take insurance we cannot afford, more people are going to walk away and work somewhere else.”

The extra pay members receive for earning specific certificates needed to complete their jobs. The Arbitrator decided that the status quo should remain.

“The CEA looks forward to productive meetings that will result in a fair contract for all Mat-Su Classified Employees.”

The CEA is scheduled to meet with the MSBSD bargaining team and continue negotiations on August 31.