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Board ratifies two-year tentative agreement with Operating Engineers Local 49

Brainerd School Board · January 13, 2026
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Summary

The board ratified a tentative two‑year agreement with Operating Engineers Local 49 that includes roughly 1% step increases each year, a formalized uniform allowance and incentives for boiler licensing; second-year costs are partially offset by not filling a floating/sub position, district negotiators said.

The Brainerd School Board voted Jan. 12 to ratify a tentative two‑year collective bargaining agreement with Operating Engineers Local 49, which represents custodial, maintenance and related facilities staff.

Negotiators said the contract contains modest compensation increases and a few operational changes: "In the grids, the first year was 1% in steps and the second year was 1%," Marcy Lord said. The agreement formalizes a uniform allowance practice (an employee may pick shirts up to a specified amount) and adds incentives and time off to encourage staff to obtain a boiler license. To offset second‑year costs, the district plans not to fill a floating/sub position in that unit.

Why it matters: Custodial and facilities staff are central to building operations; the agreement was negotiated with an eye to market adjustments for certain districtwide maintenance positions and to preserve services while managing limited general-fund dollars.

Board action: After presentation and discussion about step structure, uniform allowance mechanics and coding of some positions to long‑term facilities-maintenance funds, the board approved the ratification by roll-call vote.