A new four year agreement was ratified by UPSEU Operations, Maintenance and Transportation Unit Members in the Northport-East Northport School District..

By a vote of 81 to 8 UPSEU members approved an agreement that increases wages annually, adds two new longevity steps, provides holiday pay to part-time drivers, increases district contributions for healthcare coverage for part-time drivers and increases the payout of annual sick leave at retirement, amongst other gains. Employee health coverage contributions were increased slightly over the term of the agreement to equalize contributions with all other district bargaining units.

Negotiations were contentious throughout the process with unit members attending several Board meetings and as well picketing a Board member?s place of employment.

After mediation a fact finder report was approved by the Board of Education and rejected by UPSEU and its negotiation team. Super conciliation proved to be the process that brought about an agreement.

Special thanks to the negotiating team of Allen Ancewicz, Christine Ancewicz, Edward Bach, Scott Butler, Alfred Cowie, Robert Jones, Christopher Koulermos, Bernard Krueger, Edward Lincoln, Donald Mark, Patricia Nolan, Allen O?Hara, Kevin O?Hara, Paul Quinn and Gary Spoering for their hard work and dedication throughout the difficult process.