Classified employees and union rep raise quality and input concerns about proposed uniform lease; board tables item
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Summary
CSCA members, represented by Minna Rocha and Juan Tejandan, told the board the proposed leased uniforms are poor quality and staff were not consulted; the board tabled agenda item 13.5 (uniform lease) for further discussion.
During public comment CSCA representative Minna Rocha said union members were not given input on a proposed lease to provide employee uniforms and raised multiple concerns about quality, fit and replacement rules. "The concern that's coming from our members is the lack of asking for their input," Rocha said, noting prior uniforms for women had been "very see through" and that different job functions require different materials.
Classified staff member Juan Tejandan said many coworkers preferred the existing uniforms and asked that employees be given choices and sufficient numbers of garments. "We were all agreeing...and now that sudden changes...we don't like it," he said.
At the personnel section the board tabled item 13.5, "approval to lease employee uniforms for the 2025–26 school year," for further discussion rather than taking immediate action. The transcript records the board chair saying "13.5 has been tabled for discussion." Several trustees and staff indicated they had previously negotiated uniform issues and committed to continued collaboration.
Why it matters: Uniforms, especially when leased, affect day-to-day working conditions, safety (for staff working with hazardous materials) and morale. Staff argued the contract’s damage and replacement terms (e.g., how welding burns and chemical damage are treated) need clearer protections and employee input.
What’s next: The board tabled approval for the uniform lease and signaled further discussion and negotiation; no contract was adopted at this meeting.
