BAKERSFIELD, CA-- For the first time since before the great recession, teachers and support staff in the Kern High School District are getting a raise. There is actually about nine different labor groups that are bargaining for raises with the district.
Monday night, four agreements were approved giving groups, including teachers and support staff, a 5% raise. While there were not exactly cheers after the announcement union members said this is a step right direction.
"Hopefully this will be the start of maybe some adjustments towards the cost of living,” said Susan Wooden, President CSEA Chapter 81. “Food has gone up 16 percent. We haven't."
Tax revenue has increased dramatically in California but trustee Chad Vegas stopped short of saying these contracts were approved because of Proposition 30, which raised taxes on all Californians.
"Thankfully state revenues have raised and they have sent us more money. That is how we can afford it," Vegas.
And Vegas is happy the district is moving forward.
"I wish we had all the money in the world, large pots of gold that we could pay all these teachers for their labor but we have what we have," Vegas said.
The remaining labor groups continue to negotiate and an update will be given during the next trustee meeting in May.
Monday night, four agreements were approved giving groups, including teachers and support staff, a 5% raise. While there were not exactly cheers after the announcement union members said this is a step right direction.
"Hopefully this will be the start of maybe some adjustments towards the cost of living,” said Susan Wooden, President CSEA Chapter 81. “Food has gone up 16 percent. We haven't."
Tax revenue has increased dramatically in California but trustee Chad Vegas stopped short of saying these contracts were approved because of Proposition 30, which raised taxes on all Californians.
"Thankfully state revenues have raised and they have sent us more money. That is how we can afford it," Vegas.
And Vegas is happy the district is moving forward.
"I wish we had all the money in the world, large pots of gold that we could pay all these teachers for their labor but we have what we have," Vegas said.
The remaining labor groups continue to negotiate and an update will be given during the next trustee meeting in May.