Board, union groups reach OK on pacts

The Brainerd School Board has reached a 3-year contract settlement with two of its non-certified union groups.

Board members Friday in a special meeting approved a ratified three-year contract with its clerical staff and deaf and hard of hearing interpreters for the 2008-2011 school years.

Superintendent Steve Razidlo said the settlement calls for no wage increases in 2008-09, a 2 percent increase for the current school year and no wage increases for the 2010-11 school year. The settlement also includes a 35 percent reduction in post employment benefits for employees hired after March 1, 2010.

The district has 55 clerical staff and five deaf and hard of hearing interpreters. Both union groups are represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

The board approved a contract settlement Feb. 8 with its head cooks and custodial staff.

The district now has three remaining unsettled contracts and all three union groups will be entering into mediation with the district. The district will begin mediation with Education Minnesota Brainerd, the teachers' union, on March 9 in Brainerd.

Steve Lund, director of business services, said the district has been in contact with the state Bureau of Medication Services to schedule mediation with its food service and educational assistants union groups to reach a settlement agreement but dates for mediation haven't been set yet.

JODIE TWEED may be reached at jodie.tweed@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5858.