Privatization News
Harrison parapros score major victory against school board's effort to privatize their jobs
One hurdle remains—winning unfair labor practice
Classroom paraprofessionals in
Harrison won a major court victory
in October that bars the school board from
privatizing their jobs.
Clare County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Evans issued an injunction to prevent the Harrison Board of Education from privatizing the jobs of 30 parapros in the district.
“This is a great victory for us,” said Judy Anderson, president of the Harrison Educational Support Personnel Association, herself a parapro. “We get to keep our jobs and our benefits, and most important, we will continue working with students, the parents and community to improve education in Harrison.”
The Harrison school board on July 27 voted to privatize the parapro positions. Four days later, the Harrison ESPA went to court, seeking a temporary restraining order against the school board.
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| Harrison parapro Judy Anderson: 'We're a valuable part of the learning community.' |
Public Act 112, passed in 1994, allows school boards to privatize—without bargaining—the jobs of employees who provide noninstructional services. Harrison’s school board earlier had succeeded in turning over the jobs of district bus drivers, custodians and food service personnel to for-profit companies.
“The question in our court case is whether parapros provide instructional services,” UniServ director Wendy Heinig said. “We believe the answer is obvious— parapros are instructors in the classroom and any attempt to privatize their positions is subject to bargaining under PA 112.”
Judge Evans agreed, first issuing a temporary restraining order against the school board and then granting the permanent injunction on Oct. 18.
For Anderson, the court decision was vindication for the jobs the Harrison parapros perform every day in helping students succeed in the classroom.
“I work with an autistic child every day,” Anderson said. “Students learn differently, and I help this student understand what the teacher is saying so he can go through the lessons just like everyone else.”
One hurdle remains for the Harrison parapros—winning an unfair labor practice filed with the Michigan Employment Relations Commission when the school board tried to privatize their jobs.
Both sides submitted briefs to MERC on Nov. 13. A decision could take up to a year.
“We’re hopeful MERC will reach the same decision as Judge Evans and put this to rest,” Heinig said. “This has been extremely stressful for our parapros, who have been scared to death over the thought of losing everything—their jobs, their benefits, insurance and retirement. We’ll do everything we can to prevent that from happening.”
Meanwhile, Heinig remains hopeful that the parapros and district will settle a new contract. The parapros have worked without a contract since last June.