UE Local 119, which represents approximately 200 one-on-one aides, teacher assistants, bus aides, and before and after school program attendants in the Winslow Township schools, concluded negotiations with their employer, the contractor ESS, at the end of September. The one-year contract will provide most workers with a 2.25 percent wage increase, with some senior workers receiving a three percent increase. Workers also gained a second day of bereavement leave.

During contract negotiations, Local 119 members signed a petition to management demanding “to be treated with respect, earn a living wage, have decent benefits, and receive responses to our concerns.” Several members wrote individual emails to ESS management, and workers wore union buttons at a training.

The Local 119 negotiating committee consisted of President Bobbie Johnson, Treasurer Ken Smith, steward Joette Duckette, Anna Gonzalez, Linda Hampton, and Crystal Robinson. They were assisted by International Representative Tara McCauley.