In advance of returning to contract talks this week, the United School Employees of Pasco delivered a four-paragraph update to its members. In it, the group lays down some broad hints that it has few expectations for raises. The administration has proposed one-time bonuses instead.

Consider:

"It’s been very hard to truly evaluate and
consider compensation options when the USEP teams had no real specifics
as to what the District was truly proposing. In addition, most of the
financial discussions occurred prior to determining that the District
will need to pony up almost $700 more per employee to maintain the
fully-funded health insurance plan.

"Hopefully when the teams meet at the table this week, they can stop
talking in generalities, roll up their sleeves and determine whether or
not there will be a contract settlement. "

We still don't know how the USEP's survey on bonuses vs. pay raises went. Perhaps we'll have more details Wednesday afternoon when the sides get back together. Stay tuned.

*