Wage increases and other benefits coming to RPS employees

Richmond Education Association, RPS representatives ratify collective bargaining agreements

RICtoday_RPSCollectiveBargainingAnnouncement

Several representatives spoke on the agreements at a meeting on Thursday, Dec. 15. | Photo provided

Around this time last year, RPS became the first division in Virginia to recognize teachers’ rights to collective bargaining. Yesterday, representatives from RPS, the Richmond Education Association, and four collective bargaining units announced that they had ratified four agreements.

The negotiated agreements are divided based on four units within RPS: teachers, nutrition, instructional assistants, and care and safety. Collective bargaining for each has been going on since August.

Members of each unit met over the past week to ratify the agreements, which then went before the REA. Next, they’ll need to be reviewed by the RPS School Board and implemented in the superintendent’s budget for the 2024 fiscal year.

Here are some of the highlights from each agreement. Get even more details from the livestreamed announcement.

✏️ Teacher Unit

Minimum of 12% raise over the next three years (6% in the first year)
Compensation if planning periods or lunches are lost due to coverage needs
Increased or new stipends for additional duties

🍎 Nutrition Unit

25% raise over the next three years, immediate access to healthcare, and three personal, paid days a year for food service assistants
10% raise over the next three years for nutrition supervisors
15% raise over the next three years for nutrition managers

💻 Instructional Assistants Unit

~40% raise over the next three years
Compensation when covering for a teacher due to absence

💙 Care and Safety Unit

10% raise over the next three years for security supervisor roles
14% raise over the next three years for care and safety associates

Bargaining agreements will be in place for three years, then new agreements will be negotiated.

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Friday, Dec. 16

CIS Express Live Event Night | Friday, Dec. 16 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | Woodlake United Methodist Church, 15640 Hampton Park Dr., Midlothian | Free | Stop by for hot cocoa, a craft station, and live music before driving the self-guided light tour of the Hampton Park neighborhood from Communities in Schools.
“Annie JR.” | Friday, Dec. 16-Friday, Dec. 23 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Libby S. Gottwald Playhouse, 600 E. Grace St., Richmond | $25-$40 | Bring the whole family to see this 90-minute take on the classic musical from Cadence Theatre.

Saturday, Dec. 17

Punks for Presents Night 4 | Saturday, Dec. 17 | 4 p.m. | Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, 2410 Ownby Ln., Richmond | $10 | The festive lineup includes Operation Icy and Kris Little Kringles.

Tuesday, Dec. 20

Common Ground Virginia History Virtual Book Group | Tuesday, Dec. 20 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Virtual | Free | This month, the group will discuss “The Age of Astonishment: John Morris in the Miracle Century” by Bill Morris.

Wednesday, Dec. 21

Lunch Break Science: “Demythifying Mosquitoes: The Truth Behind the Bite” | Wednesday, Dec. 21 | 12-12:45 p.m. | Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 W. Broad St., Richmond | Free | Medical entomologist Wes Robertson will reveal the truth about mosquitoes and their bite.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Real Estate

Fact or Fiction: 5 winter home maintenance myths busted

Presented by a RICtoday Partner

The Woodfin team is available 24/7 to diagnose problems in your home. | Photo provided by Woodfin

The holidays (read: the worst possible time for a home emergency) are right around the corner. To ensure you get through the season stress-free, we’re quizzing you on five major home maintenance dos and don’ts. Pro tip: Just don’t invite the Wet Bandits over.

Can you guess the myths vs. the truths?

🚰 Fact or Fiction: It’s okay to leave hoses attached to outdoor faucet covers.

This is fiction. It is not recommended to leave water hoses hooked to outdoor faucets in the winter. Why? The residual water left in the water hose can freeze and expand, adding a large amount of pressure on the faucet. This can cause damage to the faucet and possibly burst, causing flooding.

💧 Fact or Fiction: Adding extra insulation to exposed water pipes is okay.

This is fact. Adding insulation reduces the opportunity for exposed water piping to freeze and burst, which can lead to flood damage.

🌡️ Fact or Fiction: You can save money on your energy bill during cooler months by keeping your thermostat on a lower temperature.

This is fact. You can save money on your energy bill by turning your thermostat back a few degrees. Air moves from a warmer space to a cooler space on its own. Decreasing the temperature difference between the inside and outside of your home slows down the rate of heat loss that your home will incur, therefore reducing the amount of time that your heating system will operate.

Keep reading for two more make-or-break home maintenance scenarios — and request an appointment with Woodfin if you need an extra hand.*

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Weather

52º | Mostly sunny | 8% chance of rain

Holiday

Hanukkah sameach. This Sunday evening (Dec. 18) marks the beginning of Hanukkah — the Festival of Lights that lasts for eight days. Celebrate by attending the Hanukkah Celebration at Congregation Or Atid. 🕎

Coming Soon

The Olympic sport of diving is coming to Richmond. Nonprofit DiveRVA announced that it will open the first public dry-land diving facility in the city. The grand opening celebration will take place on Saturday, Jan. 21 from 12-4 p.m. at the new facility (2256 Dabney Rd. Ste. H). 🌊

State

The VA Dept. of Transportation has released its first infrastructure resilience plan. The plan is designed to make VDOT more equipped to respond to the impacts of climate change in the coming decades. The agency says it will take two years to implement the six overall objectives. (VPM)

Shop

Head to Wonderland on Hull Street — aka Hatch Local Food Hall — for a holiday market tomorrow from 12-6 p.m. The Manchester spot will have specialty cocktails to complement the lineup of local vendors. Still working on your list? We’ve got a roundup of holiday markets.
It’s ok if you waited until the last minute to shop this season. There’s still time to shop items from our online shop Six & Main. We’re talking cocktail glasses, shirts, candles, mugs, and more. Our gift guides make shopping easy. 🛍️

Number

35,870. That’s the number of trees that have been planted on public property in Richmond in the last five years. The number exceeds the five-year goal the city set in 2017 to plant 24,000 trees. 🌳 (ABC8 News)

Cause

Specifically designed to meet the unique needs of children, the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU’s new Wonder Tower is a one-of-a-kind hospital where a kid can still feel like a kid — even during some of life’s toughest moments. Construction is nearly complete, but the hospital is still asking for the community’s support to help bring the project fully to life. Donate here. 🤝*

Finance

This Princeton grad’s startup raised $161 million to help people plan for retirement — its free tool can match you with up to three vetted financial advisors serving your area who can help you work towards financial freedom. Try it out for yourself.*

Outdoors

Still shopping for the hunter or angler in your life? Sportsman’s Box, the leading gear discovery service for outdoorsmen, is adding a free $100 credit for all new members through Saturday, Dec. 31. Choose from nine leading brands with your first Sportsman’s Box and claim your free gift. 🎣 *

Travel

Calling all globetrotters. If exploring bucket list destinations while meeting like-minded travelers is one of your 2023 goals, consider booking a small group trip with Encounters Travel. See one of the seven wonders of the world on the Jordan & Egypt Explorer Trip or snorkel among diverse marine life on the Maldives Uncovered Tour.*

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The $17 million surplus, by the numbers

See how the City of Richmond is allocating $17 million in surplus revenue

An aerial shot of City Hall in Richmond, VA

City Council adopted the ordinance at its Dec. 12 meeting. | Photo by @takeone.aerial

At its meeting on Monday, City Council approved an ordinance that detailed where ~$17 million of the approximately $21 million surplus property tax revenue will go.

The Mayor’s plan sends funds to city departments as well as non-departmental programs.

The city departments receiving the largest sums are:

Police Department | $2.6 million for pay adjustment
Fire Deptartment | $1.88 million for pay adjustment
Economic Development | $1.75 million for contractual increases related to the Diamond District and City Center projects

Around $8.6 million will be divvied up among non-departmental programs. $3.1 million will go towards inclement weather shelters, $2 million will be put in a reserve to account for increased healthcare costs, and HumanKind and Greater Richmond Continuum of Care will each receive $1 million.

Download the full list of appropriations by clicking the button below.

SEE THE NUMBERS

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Robin.

Editor’s pick: We’ll be looking back at 2022 in an upcoming newsletter — what’s one news story, event, or moment that’ll stay with you for years to come? Reminisce with us.

Missed Wednesday’s newsletter? Get your special election questions answered.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Robin Schwartzkopf, Sarah Leonhardt, Erin McPherson, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Peter Baldassare | Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

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