What does success in successor contract negotiations look like? An agreement that raises pay for all – including the most senior union members – and expands benefits and protections to colleagues not previously covered would no doubt meet the definition. In our latest collective bargaining report, we’re spotlighting a recent victory for an AFT Connecticut-affiliated paraprofessionals and school-related personnel (PSRP) union that checked both those boxes, and more.
Expanding Benefits to their Colleagues
Earlier this year, leaders of the Norwalk Federation of Education Personnel (NFEP) began negotiations with district officials to secure a successor contract. Supported by AFT Connecticut Field Representative Liz Guerra, the bargaining team developed ambitious economic proposals to further stabilize and uplift the district’s non-certified workforce.
This latest round of negotiations carried additional significance: it was their first cycle since organizing the district’s cafeteria and recess monitors.
“For our newest members, this cycle was about job security and stability,” said Hope Wyatt (bottom row, far right, in photo, above), local union president and negotiating committee member. “Previously, without any rights, they were asked to do everything other than what was in their job description. So, it really feels good to help them feel secure.”
The new agreement expands access to annual raises, job protections, and several benefits that were previously out of reach. Before joining the local union, these crucial workers faced precarity, low pay and little incentive to commit to a long-term career with the district.
Raising the Wage For All
Additional priorities for Wyatt and her negotiating committee colleagues included securing annual general wage increases and expanding the pay grid to ensure raises even for the most senior union members at the top step.
“So many of our members had been stagnant for so long,” said Cheryl Street (third from left, front row, above) who also served on the committee. “It was important to gain three more years of growth and pay raises for those who choose longevity and staying with Norwalk Public Schools for a career.”
In addition to grid expansion, the committee secured general wage increases and step movement for each year of the three-year agreement. They also proposed and won an option for 10-month employees to select a 12-month pay cycle, providing added economic stability throughout the year.
Building for a Better Future
For full-time members, the committee successfully kept health insurance cost increases below the rate of inflation over the life of the agreement. Shared goals for future negotiations include securing health coverage for part-time employees and improving retirement security across all non-certified roles.
“When it comes to access to health insurance for part-timers, we’ve tried in the past and we tried again this time,” said committee member Susan Stroffolino (second from left, front row, above). “That’s something that we feel really strongly about because affordable benefits are important. We see that’s how our teachers keep good people in the classroom.”
The agreement was ratified by membership in late June and approved by the Board of Education in mid-September, with an effective date retroactive to July 1, 2026.
Celebrating the victory earlier this month, Wyatt looked ahead to the ongoing work of growing their local.
“Our continued work is to make sure all the district’s cafeteria and recess monitors are moved up to part-time hours so that they are eligible to join NFEP. That is how we extend the benefits that come with AFT Connecticut and our national union to an even greater number of members.”
Racking up the W’s
Our education personnel in Norwalk were among 12 AFT Connecticut affiliates whose collective bargaining victories were announced this quarter. Since our July report, these additional contract wins were celebrated:
- Windham Federation of Education Personnel
- Hartford Federation of Early Childhood Educators (ECEs)
- Natchaug Hospital Unions United – Nurses
- L&M Healthcare Workers Union
- L&M Federation of Technologists
- L&M Federation of Registered Professional Nurses
- Manchester Memorial Hospital Skilled Service & Maintenance Employees United
- Manchester Federation of LPNs and Techs United
- Rockville LPN & Technical Employees United
- Rockville Skilled Service Employees United
- Manchester Tutors Association
Four additional local contract victories are awaiting initial announcement and will be featured in an upcoming collective bargaining report.
