Wantagh Custodians Continue Fight for New Contract

Wantagh custodial workers are continuing their aggressive fight for a new contract nearly two years after their last deal expired.

During the last three Wantagh school board meetings, dozens of Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members from the district’s custodial unit and Nassau Education Local 865 have staged rallies in the parking lot of Wantagh High School voicing their frustration at the how long has passed since their last contract expired on June 30, 2011. Union leaders say the district has previously offered the custodians an annual salary percentage increase of less than one percent while also asking for a five percent rise in their health insurance contributions.

“The proposal you have had on the table for all these months is not fair because it requires them to give back more money than the school district is offering them and they can’t afford to do that,” said Local 865 President Monica Berkowitz, who spoke on behalf of the custodial unit at the May 9 board of education meeting. “Showing your genuine appreciation for these men and women who take care of your schools and your students isn’t done with words. True appreciation is done with action. The action we are asking for you to do tonight is to negotiate a fair agreement with the custodians”

Wantagh Board of Education President Michael Cucci said the next negotiating session with the district's custodial unit is slated for this Wednesday evening and that he along with the other four trustees will be available in the building should progress be made toward an agreement.