VICTORY: SB County Preschool Services Dept. Teamsters Secure 1st Contract
On February 20, 2018, Teamsters Local 1932 members at the San Bernardino County Preschool Services Department (PSD) ratified a strong first-time agreement with the County, bringing much-needed salary adjustments to these 500 working people in early childhood education.
“We never had a voice before this Teamster contract. We now have a voice,” says Toi Waddles, a Teacher at Fontana Citrus Head Start. PSD Teamsters ratified the agreement unanimously — a first step in turning back the tide against years of high turnover rates throughout PSD facilities that were caused by low wages and unstable work conditions.
PSD Teamsters have been in negotiations with San Bernardino County since March 2017. In December 2017, thousands of community members and parents to PSD students showed their support for these working people by signing postcards addressed to County officials, demanding that they help create “Stability for PSD Families” with Teamsters Local 1932. The push from the public led to progress at the negotiating table.
“We can not win strong contracts like this one by coming into things alone,” says Sean Segal, a Program Generalist at Westminster Head Start. “We stood together with the community and the results were fantastic. I know it’s just the start.”
Local 1932 and San Bernardino County also agreed to work together to secure additional funding that it is currently lacking in early childhood education. “Every day, these new Teamsters at PSD care for thousands of our region’s most vulnerable children,” says Randy Korgan, Local 1932 General Manager. “Going forward, we will ensure that these children and the working people that care for them have the resources they need to truly thrive.”
As Teamsters Local 1932 continues to transform the Inland Empire by producing positive change for its over 14,500 members, the public organizations that employ them, and the community they strengthen, please continue to visit Teamsters1932.org for more.
Scenes from the Feb. 20th Contract Ratification Meeting
