Oswego 308 Approves Two-Year Oswego Transportation Association Contract

Editor's Note: The following is from a release issued by the Oswego 308 School District:

By unanimous vote Monday night, District 308 Board of Education approved a new contract for the union members in the district’s transportation department. 

The Oswego Transportation Association (OTA) has a new two-year contract that is slated to expire on June 30, 2014. The contract calls for a 1.5% salary increase in each year of the contract. 

“I am always pleased when contracts are finalized,” said Superintendent Matthew Wendt. “The challenges of paying competitive wages and benefits must be balanced with economic realities directly affecting School District 308."   

The previous OTA contract expired June 30, 2012. In that three-year deal the district provided employees increases of 2% in year one, followed by increases equal to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) with a cap not to exceed 2.5% in the second two years.

The OTA membership is expected ratify the contract on November 7. “The association believes that its negotiated agreement is fair, equitable and meets the needs of both the association and District 308," said Alex Wallace, association president.

The OTA has a membership of 200 employees including 117 bus drivers, 66 bus monitors and crossing guards, and 17 dean’s assistants. The OTA is responsible for about seventy-five percent of the transportation services for students in the district with the remainder being contracted out to Illinois Central School Bus Services.

“I would like to thank all the members of both negotiating teams, board members, administration, legal support and union leadership for their diligent, collegial efforts to solidify a two-year agreement between the district and the 200 members of the Oswego Transportation Association,” said Board President Bill Walsh. “This agreement represents the respect and commitment the board has for the cost savings initiatives and the very important work these dedicated employees do every day to ensure the safety of our students.”