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SEIU-represented staff urge higher wages, safety fixes at Everett school board meeting
Summary
Two district employees representing SEIU told the board bargaining has lasted a year and that a 2.5% offer and reported supervisory conduct fail to address pay and safety concerns; a petition and a meeting with district leaders were announced.
Two employees representing Service Employees International Union (SEIU) addressed the board during public comment on June 9, urging higher wages, better supplemental health funding and managerial accountability.
Jordan Arthur, introduced as a district employee, resident and parent, said SEIU bargaining with the district has been ongoing for a year and told the board members that members feel the district’s compensation offers are inadequate. “SEIU has been in bargaining with the district for a year now. We are looking for competitive wage increases and recognition of our time,” Arthur said, adding that a 2.5% raise offer from the district would amount to a single-year cost-of-living adjustment that does not address longer-term pay steps and compression.
Arthur also asked the board to recognize the work of food service, custodial, grounds and warehouse staff and requested supplemental funding to help with healthcare costs such as prescriptions and eyeglasses. He said members have left positions after what he characterized as antagonistic supervisory behavior.
Brian Holmes, a district employee and parent, said SEIU members had submitted a petition to the board to demonstrate solidarity and pressed the district about unresolved safety issues. Holmes described incidents where staff raised concerns with supervisors but said those concerns were not addressed; he thanked one district official (Mr. Fleenstein) for stepping in and urged board members to attend a scheduled meeting so the staff could explain safety risks firsthand.
Board protocol for public comment was reiterated at the start of the item; board members did not offer a substantive response during the public comment period but acknowledged receipt of the speakers’ petitions and comments. The board’s public comment agenda item included an offer for written responses if speakers request them.
Next steps: Board staff indicated written responses would be sent if requested, and a meeting with operations staff and supervisors was scheduled by district staff as described by Holmes.
