Hibbing Public Schools File Unfair Labor Practices Charges

Staff at Hibbing Public Schools, represented by AFSCME Council 65, Local 480, have filed Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charges after the school has refused to recognized the ratified contract.

AFSCME Local 480 is comprised of 115 workers including Pupil Support Assistants, Secretaries, Custodians, and IT Workers. These employees provide essential daily support to students, families, and educators across the district.

After successful contract negotiations in October, the workers voted on and accepted the contract in December. Shortly after the contract was ratified, the district superintendent, the school board chair, and the business manager resigned from their positions. The new leadership at the school has refused to recognize the agreed upon contract and wants to go back to the bargaining table in a clear attempt to strip the contract of the fair wage increases in the coming years.

The district has recently filed for mediation on the issue — a step that Local 480 had already taken. The ULP charge has been filed to demand that the district negotiate in good faith with the Union and present the tentative agreement to the school board.

“Our members keep this district moving,” said Darryl Eskeli, president of AFSCME Local 480. “Students and families rely on the hard work we do every day. This is a clear attempt by district the to go back on their word and remove the much needed raises from the contract."

We Need Your Help!
Please consider contacting School Board members and requesting that they honor the agreed upon contract and bargain in good faith.