Board ratifies three USW contracts for custodial, food service and support staff

Portage Township Schools on a unanimous vote ratified three collective bargaining agreements with the United Steelworkers (USW) covering custodial, food service and support staff.

Superintendent Dr. Alanis told the board the three contracts were ratified by union members on June 20 and brought to trustees for approval. “Overall, negotiations have been extremely positive,” she said, noting remaining transportation matters would return to the bargaining table.

The custodial agreement updates overtime language for activity coverage, increases temporary supervisor pay from $1 to $2 per hour, raises vacation carryover from five to 10 days (with a 30‑day cap) and allows paid time off to be taken in two‑hour increments. The food service agreement increases the uniform allowance to $100, specifies additional laptop access for required training and adds new summer school and summer meeting posting requirements. Support staff received higher stipends for substituting in classrooms ($25 half day, $50 full day, up from $20/$40), new seniority language for substitute choice, a $100 stipend for weather gear for certain duties, and clarifying language on PTO use and e‑learning days.

Board members praised the staff and union for collaborative bargaining. The motion to ratify the three agreements passed on a roll call with Trustees Maleta, Wilkie, Rainey, Smith and Vasquez voting yes.