Wicomico County Public School support staff contract at impasse

In Wicomico County, after months of working to reach a contract agreement, the Board of Education and the support staff employees from county public schools have declared an impasse.

Negotiations began back in October of last year and this impasse means a settlement will not be reached without a mediator.

The mediator will have to be agreed upon by both sides.

The Wicomico County Educators Association, known as WCEA, says their biggest push for this contract, is it to provide binding arbitration for their support staff.

Support staff includes nurses, instructional assistants, and custodial crew.

The president of WCEA, Joan Smith, says she is happy about the impasse and looks forward to reaching an agreement.

We also reached out to Superintendent Dr. Donna Hanlin and says quote:

"Wicomico County Public Schools has been at the table throughout these negotiations and is committed to offering a  fair deal for all employees. Unfortunately, the traditional negotiations process has  reached a point where the Public School Labor Relations Board has ruled that we are at impasse and as a result, we must follow the process outlined in COMAR, which stipulates that we engage in mediation to try and resolve our differences.
 
WCBOE looks forward to engaging in this process and resolving our differences amicably and in the best interest of all employees covered by this Agreement. Despite the fact that the traditional process has not resulted in a ratified Agreement, we remain committed to the greater good and ensure that our negotiated agreement is in the best interest of all employees not only now, but into the future as well."