Sacramento district, SEIU agree to ‘historic’ pay raise for classified school workers

The Sacramento City Unified School District and a union representing non-instructional classified staff successfully struck a deal guaranteeing a retroactive pay hike amid concerns the district’s cash reserves could be limited in two years.

The Service Employees International Union Local 1021 — which represents custodians, bus drivers, instructional aides and food service workers — agreed to close their “reopener negotiations” for last year’s contract. The district’s school board president, Chinua Rhodes, wrote in a statement contract negotiations are ongoing for the upcoming two school years.

In a September letter to the Sacramento City Unified, County Superintendent of Schools Dave Gordon wrote that its reserves could shrink below a state-mandated minimum of $14.5 million if teachers and other staff get a pay raise. Gordon’s concerns, which noted the district had enough cash through 2026, come after teachers got a similar wage increase as that of SEIU, according to the Sacramento Bee’s previous reporting.

“This historic agreement demonstrates the significant value that SCUSD places on retaining and recruiting the finest classified staff to support our students, teachers and facilities,” Sacramento City Unified and SEIU leaders said in Wednesday’s news release.

The pact includes a 10% salary increase for SEIU members and an $18 minimum wage retroactive July 1, 2022, an additional 6% ongoing salary increase for jobs classified as “difficult-to-fill and retain” and a $20 minimum wage beginning July 1, 2024, the news release said.

“This is the biggest win for members in the history of SEIU in Sacramento City Unified. We have lifted up nearly 70% of our members with significant raises,” Karla Faucett, Local 1021’s president, in the statement.

SEIU also successfully negotiated enhancements to health and safety provisions and personal protective equipment for kitchens, Faucett said.

Declining enrollment also places pressure on Sacramento City Unified’s coffers, The Bee’s previous reporting said. One-time grants from state and federal governments given to it during the pandemic are also set to expire.

Said Faucett: “But the work continues as we immediately return to the table in four weeks to bargain for a whole new successor contract.”