About

Our present organization evolved from the St. Charles Secretarial Association (founded in 1964) and was affiliated with the National Association.

In 1984, a move to consider a union found no support among the membership. After a second attempt, employees were threatened with a letter in their paychecks that their jobs were in jeopardy if they unionized. In 1987, tired of low pay raises and unsatisfactory working conditions, the support staff tried once again to organize. It was our hope that with a new superintendent, Dr. Bangser, our chances would be improved. Finally the historic vote to organize came in May 1987.

Bargaining began in July of that year and survived two referendum attempts, mediation and a threat to strike. The first contract was settled March 30, 1988. We won state wide recognition for model language, making all of our efforts worthwhile. Some of that language included: Just Cause Discipline, a Sick Bank, no subcontracting and a 7% retroactive pay raise. Since our first contract was for only one year, expiring in June 1988, we went back to the bargaining table in July of that year.

This second contract was settled in November 1988 and covered a three year period. It included such provisions as improved insurance benefits, extended insurance coverage to special education assistants, defined overtime and, most importantly, assured that secretaries would no longer have to administer medication to students.

FAIR SHARE BECAME MAJOR ISSUE

After the settlement of our first contract, many members began to object to paying union dues for benefits equal to those who did not pay dues. Members began calling for Fair Share, and the team attempted to secure this during the second set of negotiations. However, the School Board was less than enthusiastic with this demand and SCESP leadership was forced to wait for three years to try and secure Fair Share. By this time (1991), the membership was clearly divided by the issue and many were ready to withdraw if we did not obtain Fair Share. Faced with the prospect of losing members and possibly all we had worked so hard for, the Team again bargained for this demand by members.

The Board once again held out and SCESP members planned to strike. Placards were made and action committees were formed. We were prepared to strike for this issue that held great importance for us. A mediator was brought in and eventually the issue was settled in the ESP's favor. Once again we received a one year contract which included: Fair Share, a 6.2 percent raise and longevity now to be offered to fourth and fifth year employees.

THE WORK CONTINUED...

As we moved into the 90's, the leadership worked hard to address some of the problems facing support personnel. We attempted to adjust some of the pay inequities, secure overtime when warranted, and protected teaching assistants from being left alone in the classroom. We utilized the grievance procedure judiciously in working out our problems between staff and administration, finding that often the "process" opened doors to dialogue and then understanding.

By our fourth contract (1992-94) we had begun to revise the salary schedule, creating a four-tier schedule for each classification. This made it easier to read and offered some incentive to move up. This contract also brought a hefty raise of 5.7% and 6%. Through our bargaining, we brought our pay schedule up from the bottom among other districts in the Fox Valley to a position near the top.

THE NEW MILLENNIUM

The Team started their work for the 2000 negotiations in June of 1999. Our members were once again some of the lowest paid in the Fox Valley Area. The Team was determined to get a substantial wage increase, and we let the District know our intent in August of 1999 when the President and Vice President of the Association met with Dr. Kostel and Mr. Graham. After the first two meetings, both teams agreed to compare St. Charles to LUDA (Large Unit District Association) schools. St. Charles ranked at the bottom. The more the team found out, the more determined they became to get a substantial pay increase. After informing the members of the situation and what the team had turned down, everyone was on the same page and willing to stick together to achieve the ultimate goal of putting St. Charles ESP's pay in the top third of the LUDA schools. At the next meeting we settled with a 24% increase the first year and 4.25% increase over the next three years. This put us second from the top. Along with the increase in pay we also increased our sick days by one, and established a wage scale for teaching assistants substituting for other assistants in the classroom. The Team felt that this was a good contract for both the District and it's members.

THE JANUS DECISION

In June 2018, the Supreme Court of the United States handed down a decision in the landmark case Janus v. American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). The case was concerning the power of labor unions to collect fees from non-union members. Under the Taft–Hartley Act of 1947, which applies to the private sector, union security agreements can be allowed by state law. The Supreme Court ruled that such union fees in the public sector violate the First Amendment, overturning the 1977 decision in Abood v. Detroit Board of Education that had previously allowed such fees.

SUMMING IT ALL UP...

Through the collective bargaining procedure guaranteed by the legislature and facilitated through IEA membership, your local association has secured benefits, higher salaries and improved working conditions for it's members. We have tried to balance work with pleasure, offering social events throughout the year, as well as workshops and Institute Day programs. Our scholarship program, begun long ago with the original association, thrives today with the membership support. Our members have been an available voice on the District's Technology Committee, Insurance Committee, Benefits Committee, and the Strategic Planning Committee.

It is our greatest hope that what we have accomplished will endure and be preserved by future members. We need our membership to be united in purpose to remain strong. There are many ways YOU can serve your Association. Just ask us how to get involved!