Morgan Hill – A date has been set for mediation between the Morgan Hill Unified School District and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). Representatives from each group will meet at the district office on March 13 with a state mediator from the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) in an attempt to solve a lengthy dispute over the SEIU contract.
The group, which represents the district’s classified employees including bus drivers, secretaries, custodians and other non-classroom positions, is asking for a 5 percent salary increase for its members during 2006-07 school year. SEIU members say they deserve the same percentage as the Morgan Hill Federation of Teachers members and Morgan Hill Educational Leaders Association members; both groups received a 5 percent salary increase.
District officials say the offer made to the union is very fair. They have offered 8 percent over two years, which includes an increase in benefits and the opportunity to negotiate another salary increase next year.
Negotiations between the MHUSD and SEIU stalled last fall, and an impasse was declared in January.
