Paraprofessionals voted "Union Yes" on Friday in order to increase retention and reduce turn-over through training, professional development, and improved economic standards

GROTON—In a victory for local students as well as fellow educators, the classroom assistants and tutors working in Groton Public Schools voted Friday to unite in CSEA/SEIU Local 2001. The election results will allow one hundred and thirty paraprofessionals in the district's eleven schools to have a greater voice on the job in setting educational goals and objectives, and improve the classroom experience of the children they serve.

"Voting to join the union was a vote for the kids we work with," said Sherry Cutler, an S.B. Butler Elementary School paraprofessional, of the election in which 86% of her co-workers who participated chose to unionize. "Now we will be empowered to go to school management and discuss the kind of training we need, like classroom first aid and safety."

Thousands of school paraprofessionals working in thirty-five districts and regional educational service centers across Connecticut have united in CSEA SEIU Local 2001 to establish their rights to representation and improve recruiting and increase retention within their profession.

"I take pride in helping the kids in my classroom," said Sue Dean-Shinbrot, a Cutler Middle School paraprofessional with thirteen years on the job. "Voting 'yes' was a vote to raise standards so we can attract the next generation of paras for our schools."

Nearly sixty of the district's paraprofessionals considered "permanent" were already represented by the Union when instructional assistants without the ability to negotiate their working conditions began the organizing drive earlier this year. At issue was the lack of equity and respect for the majority of paraprofessionals who perform essentially the same work with students in Groton's schools.

"For ten years, I have worked without access to healthcare," said Kathy Johnson, a paraprofessional at Fitch Middle School. "My husband wants to retire, but he's been waiting because we'd lose his medical insurance. With a union, now we have a shot at changing that," she continued, referring to the importance of quality, affordable healthcare to retaining dedicated, experienced paraprofessionals in public schools across the state.

CSEA/SEIU Local 2001 represents 25,000 active and retired public sector workers serving in state and municipal agencies, as well as local school districts across Connecticut. Visit www.seiu2001.org online for more information about how its members are working to deliver quality services to students in our state's K-12 public education settings.