Hempfield Area, maintenance workers ratify new 5-year contract

Maintenance workers in the Hempfield Area School District have a five-year labor agreement with pay raises each year.

School board members this week ratified the pact between the district and the Hempfield Area Educational Support Personnel Association, giving union members an average raise of 2% each year over the course of the deal.

“We received a five-year contract that provides stability and is fair to both sides,” said Robert Ronald, the association’s president. “I am happy that it gives our members a modest raise each year and small increases in health care contributions over the term of the agreement.”

The contract begins July 1 and runs through June 30, 2027. It covers 15 district employees.

According to Bob Reger, the district’s director of human resources, the majority of changes within the contract were language clarifications and updates.

Employees will contribute between 9% and 13% toward their health care.

Contract negotiations began in January and continued through May. They included a district negotiation team made up of administrators and three school board members, as well as members of the Pennsylvania State Education Association, which represents the association.

“The parties negotiated in good faith and collaboratively with the best interest of the district’s current financial resources in mind,” Reger said. “The new five-year contract provides stability, continuity, a sold benefits plan and strong terms and conditions of employment for the maintenance staff.”