Fairfield School Employees (AFSCME 2178) Overwhelmingly Ratify First Union Contract

Congratulations to school staff at MSAD 49 who have just ratified their first contract covering school secretaries, bus drivers, custodians, mechanics, food services, maintenance and other support services. MSAD 49 comprises the towns of the towns of Fairfield, Albion, Benton and Clinton.

The three-year contract includes $4 to $7 per hour wage increases as well as layoff protection language. The MSAD 49 staff organized their union and achieved formal recognition earlier this year after learning of the benefits union workers at other area schools earned. The major issues for the workers were pay, benefits and the need for better ways to resolve disputes with management.

The workers considered three different unions, but AFSCME was the only one affiliated with the Maine AFL-CIO. AFSCME Council 93 labor representative John Nuttall told the workers they were free to choose whomever they wanted as long as they unionized, but that it was important to choose an AFL-CIO-affiliated union because they would have the backing of our union federation and the full support of the labor movement. In the end, the workers overwhelmingly chose to go with AFSCME.