By an overwhelming 329 to 6 vote, Portland Federation of School Professionals (AFT Local 111) ratified a new contract last month that covers about 1,400 support staff in almost 50 classifications, including school secretaries, classroom assistants, and about 450 para-educators who work with special education students.
The contract provides across-the-board raises of 3 percent retroactive to July 1, 2017, and 2 percent for July 1, 2018. It also gives annual step increases to employees who haven’t reached the top of the wage scale for their classification. And it raises pay an additional 5 percent July 1 for para-educators, who will make $17.05 to $22.65 an hour.
Local 111 president Belinda Reagan said the district hired an inexperienced outside attorney, and bargaining was contentious.
The new contract runs through June 30, 2019.
