VCS Cancels VUE Support Staff Bargaining Session

DeLand, FL – The Teacher Salary Increase Allocation bill signed by Governor Ron DeSantis and in effect since October 1 has led to salary negotiations between the Volusia County School District and Volusia United Educators. Those sessions, one for teachers and one for support staff, were to continue next week but the school district has canceled the support staff session on Monday, October 19. This is a problem according to a post on the Volusia United Educators Page:  "VUE MEMBERS: The district attorney Kevin Pendley sent a letter to VUE today at 12:15 cancelling the bargaining session for support professionals that was scheduled for Monday at 10:00 am. They have declined to continue to bargain salary increases for our support professionals. This is an example of how the District believes they can dismiss those who advocate for better pay and working conditions in VCS. It is apparent that they have not learned that the members of VUE will not be silenced nor will we be dismissed. AN INJURY TO ONE IS AN INJURY TO ALL! VUE MEMBERS, let’s show VCS that we will not allow our support professionals to continue to earn poverty level wages. They deserve better. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! #VUESTRONG Please share!" During a recent phone interview with VUE President Elizabeth Albert, she said that the district was offering a 2.5 percent raise to support staff and the union wants three percent. According to a press release issued by VCS yesterday. (October 16)  the teacher’s bargaining session scheduled for Tuesday, October 20, will happen virtually. That session had been scheduled to be in person. The ZOOM link will only be available during the meeting and can be found  at vcsedu.org.