The last-minute negotiating happened when the union contacted the federal mediator, who in turn contacted the school district’s attorney.
The attorney told the district about the compromises, and the union ultimately decided to take the deal and not strike because of the original contract that included much higher insurance premiums and language that allowed the district to outsource their jobs.
“In the interest of the students, parents and this community, the XESP agreed to a new offer that was arrived at this evening at 8 p.m. to prevent the strike,” XESP President Vickie Jones said after their 4 ½-hour meeting.
“We hope the community will come together and recognize the sacrifices made by XESP. We hope this community will bring pressure on the board and the superintendent to force them to treat each of us equitably and fairly,” Jones said.
Xenia Superintendent Deborah Piotrowski initially said Wednesday there would be no more negotiations with the union. On Thursday, she said the two main changes from the district’s “last, best offer” were minor, but enough to get a deal done.
The union will now get 30 days, instead of 10, to review any outsourcing proposal the district receives. Piotrowski said if the union’s matching proposal for the same work is within 10 percent of saving the same amount of money as the outsourcing contract, the district will keep XESP workers on the job.
The other change was agreeing to a two-year contract, instead of three years, a number the superintendent said the union originally requested.
“We’re happy. I hope that they’re happy,” Piotrowski said. “I’m glad that they voted not to strike. That’s hurtful for the community and the employees. It’s very emotional for them, and I feel bad that they had to go through all that, too.”
Jones was unavailable Thursday for comment.
Piotrowski said Thursday operated as a normal school day.
Instead of suspending bus service Thursday and today and using temporary workers hired by contractor Huffmaster Inc., union workers were back on the job.
“There were no buttons, no (union-backed) shirts,” Piotrowski said. “Everyone was dressed in professional attire and doing a good job.”
Earlier this fall, the union and the district agreed on different bus routes that could be more efficient, yet give some drivers more hours and therefore cut down on their insurance premiums. Piotrowski said she hopes those routes can be implemented Monday.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-6951 or mgokavi @DaytonDailyNews.com.
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